HIS NEIGHBOR WOULDN’T STOP REPORTING THE SOUND OF A GIRL CRYING INSIDE HIS HOUSE—THEN HE HID BENEATH HIS DAUGHTER’S BED AND HEARD HER PLEAD FOR SOMEONE TO SPARE HER

“You can’t just leave.”

“I can.”

“This is my house too.”

Thomas looked at her. “Then you can stay here with your lies until my lawyer tells you where to go next.”

Veronica stepped toward him. “You don’t have a lawyer.”