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

Denise said quietly, “Let her talk.”

So they did.

Veronica told the room Lucia had been depressed, jealous, prone to lying. Madison’s mother nodded sympathetically. Madison smirked once at Lucia, quick and cruel.

Then Denise opened the folder.

One by one, she placed the truth on the table.