Then a pounding knock rattled the front door, startling me.
“Police!” a man shouted from outside. “Open the door!”
I froze. Panic set my whole body on fire. Then I looked at Jack. But he just nodded once.
I rose with unsteady legs and made my way to the front door. My hand reached for the handle but stopped halfway. Trembling.
How did we get here?
A little over a week ago, we were all sitting here laughing at a funny cat video Dylan showed us. The same couch. The same home.
I took a deep breath, steadied my hand, and straightened. Then I slowly opened the door.
The front lawn was crowded with police officers. Their patrol cars lit up the dark street in red and blue. Behind them, near the edge of the lawn, camera crews pressed against a line of officers. Reporters yelled over one another, their voices sharp and frantic.
“Where is Lacey?”
“Why did she kill Zach?”
“Is she inside right now? Can we talk to her?”
Detective Nolan was there too, right at my door, looking the least intimidating of the bunch. Next to him was some buff officer. The GI Joe type. Broad chest. Tight jaw. Military haircut.
“May we come in?” he asked.
Jack stepped forward. “Do you have a warrant?”
Nolan’s gaze locked on his. “Do we need one?”
“That depends on what you’re here for,” Jack countered.
Nolan gave a slow nod. “We’re here for Lacey. To ask questions.” His eyes found mine and held them. “Questions that really need answering.”
“Well,” I said quickly, before Jack could. “How about we just come with you and answer your questions. Warrant or not. We have nothing to hide.”
Detective Nolan nodded.
“Can you please come around the back, though?” I asked.
“No,” the tall officer next to Detective Nolan said.
Faint noises from upstairs reached us. The ABC song.
“So the kids don’t have to see all this,” I explained.
GI Joe frowned. “Ma’am, you’re not in a position to make demands here. Step aside now.”
He started forward, but Nolan lifted his arm, pushing the officer back a step.
“We’ll meet her at the back door,” Detective Nolan said. Brusque and firm.
“Thank you,” I said.
I closed the door and leaned my back against it.
Jack and Dylan both stared at me.
Lacey hadn’t moved. Still on the couch. Still staring at the floor like an empty shell.
