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"Keep Lucy occupied."

Torin nods. "We can do that."

"Tell Maggie we're proud of her," I say. "Lucy will be safe with us, so she can focus on getting through tomorrow instead of worrying about what's happening here."

Laurel lets out a breath and gives a small nod. "I will."

The police station sits at the edge of town, a squat brick building that manages to dominate the entire block.

Maggie stares through the windshield with a coffee cup wrapped in both hands. She bought it on the way over. As far as I can tell, she hasn't taken a single sip.

Laurel sits beside her, their fingers intertwined across the center console.

Outside, Ashby stands near the entrance with his hands in his pockets, watching the building like he's conducting a security assessment. Torin occupies a nearby bench with Lucy beside him. He’s holding her crayons while she concentrates on coloring a page in the book he bought her.

I lean against the truck, arms folded, waiting for Maggie to decide she’s ready to go in. I don’t show it, but my stomach's been in knots since we left the house.

When they climb out of the truck a few minutes later, Laurel stays beside her as they cross the parking lot together, hand in hand.

At the entrance, Maggie hesitates.

Laurel says something I can't hear.

Whatever it is, Maggie smiles and they continue on.

Ashby opens the door, and the sisters disappear inside together.

The glass swings shut behind them.

Lucy looks up from her coloring book and asks, "Why's everybody staring at the building?"

I let Torin handle it. "We’re not staring,” he tells her. “We’re thinking. You see, Lucy, you've been selected for today's special adventure."

She cocks her head to one side. "Adventure?"

I smile at her. “You’re going to love it.”

An hour later, we're at Pine Knot Pizza. Marco spots us the second we walk through the door.

His face lights up like Lucy just returned from a six-month expedition to the Congo.

"Lucy White!" he booms.

Lucy drops her backpack and sprints across the restaurant.

Marco catches her against his chest and spins her once before setting her back on her feet. "My favorite customer has arrived," he claims.

Lucy plants her little hands on her hips. "You said that last time."

"That's because you were my favorite customer last time."

She considers that then nods. "Okay."

Marco grins and gestures to an empty booth. We squeeze in together and he hands us menus he knows nobody's going to read.

Ashby leans toward me. "You realize he does that with every child who walks through the door," he tells me in a loud whisper.

"Of course he does."