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

She did not ask why she had not told sooner.

She said, “I believe something happened. We’re going to sort out what, step by step.”

Lucia cried at that.

Thomas had to leave the room for a minute because shame was choking him.

In the hallway, Rosa followed and punched him hard in the shoulder.

He looked at her, stunned.