A patrol car was parked at the curb.
Beside it stood a man holding a police hat in both hands.
I recognized him vaguely.
Nathan.
Sophie’s father.
I had seen him at Willowcrest Middle School events, although we had never really spoken.
He worked with the Bellmere police department.
Nathan approached Ethan.
“You Ethan?”
“Yes, sir.”
Nathan nodded.
“You bought my daughter that wheelchair?”
Ethan looked immediately worried.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry if—”
Nathan raised one hand.
“No.”
His voice broke slightly.
“Don’t apologize.”
Then he looked at me.
“Would you mind coming over to our house?”
I frowned.
“Right now?”
“If that’s okay.”
Officer Cooper smiled.
“You should go.”
There was something about the way he said it that made me stop worrying.
Ten minutes later, we were back outside Sophie’s house.
THE GUITAR CASE
Inside, Jillian had prepared what looked like enough breakfast for twenty people.
