“Jordyn,” he begins, keeping his voice authoritative and matter-of-fact, “the police will be back to ask more questions about what happened at the train yard.” Jordyn’s chin begins to quiver but Thomas plunges forward. “They are going to ask you over and over about what you did at Cora’s house and what you did at the train yard and it’s very important that you say the same thing each time. Do you understand?”

Jordyn nods. “You told them you left Cora and Violet at the train yard, right?” Again, Jordyn nods and her eyes begin to fill. “No,” Thomas says sternly. “No tears, Jordyn. This is important. When they come back around, you tell them the exact same thing. You were going to go to the train yard but you stopped before you actually got there. You took a drink of beer, dumped it out and then you left. The girls were fine when you left and then you came straight home.”

Thomas waits for Jordyn to nod in understanding and then reaches out and runs a calloused palm across Jordyn’s sleep-rumpled hair. “You left your book bag at the train yard, but don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll find it.”

“Grandpa—” Jordyn’s forehead creases in confusion “—but I didn’t…”

“Shh, I know,” Thomas says, trying to gentle his voice. “Don’t worry, we can get you a new one for school if need be. Next time just don’t be so careless. They’ll ask you what was inside and you’ll tell them you had your pajamas and social studies book in there. And your house key. That’s all, right?” He waits for Jordyn to agree and when she doesn’t, Thomas says, “Jordyn, I found that map in your backpack and that list. There was blood on your jacket. Do you understand how that would look to the police?”

Jordyn nods and bites her lip. “Nothing bad was supposed to happen. I don’t know how she got hurt so bad, Grandpa. I promise. I didn’t do anything.”

“Okay. You just tell them you left the backpack at the train yard, got it?” Jordyn nods again. Thomas stands and goes to the kitchen sink and looks out the window.

With forced cheerfulness Thomas returns and drops a kiss atop Jordyn’s head, saying, “I called the hospital and talked to Cora’s mom earlier. She says Cora is doing better and is up for visitors. Go on and get dressed and we’ll go see her.”

A spasm of alarm crosses Jordyn’s face and she looks ready to protest. “No arguments,” Thomas says, though in the back of his mind he can hear Tess telling him that he should wait until Cora is home from the hospital before taking Jordyn to see her in such a state. That it might be too upsetting to her.