That work had taught me how quickly fear could become certainty.
It had also taught me how dangerous certainty could be.
“I need to know why they did this,” I said.
“Then preserve everything. Record Jake’s statement through the proper channels. Don’t confront anyone. Don’t delete messages. Don’t make threats. And, Michael?”
“What?”
“If Christine is still with them, there may be more happening than you understand.”
A nurse passed behind me carrying a tray of medication. I turned toward the wall and lowered my voice.
“My son is eight.”
“I know.”
“They hurt him to punish me.”
“You don’t know that yet.”
“He told me what his grandfather said.”
“I believe him. But words spoken during violence often point toward a larger story. Find the story before you decide what it means.”
The old discipline in his voice steadied something inside me.
“Can you come to Nashville?”
