Violet is examining her knuckles, scraping at the dried blood that fills the narrow grooves. Cora’s blood. I pull her fingers away, repulsed. “When’s the last time you saw Max?” I try again. “Was it last night when he and Clint took you to Cora’s house?”

“And Nikki,” she adds.

“Did you see Max at all?” I ask, my voice rising with frustration. Why can’t she give me a straight answer? “Listen, Violet, Max could be in a lot of trouble. Did you see Max after he dropped you off?”

Violet’s forehead briefly creases in worry. “No,” she says so that I barely hear her and turns away from me again to face the window. She’s lying. I’m just not sure about what. We travel the rest of the way back to Pitch in silence. I want to talk to her more about what could be happening with Max but I don’t want to say too much in front of Officer Grady.

I know it’s impossible that he had anything to do with what happened to Cora but what if he’s arrested, anyway? We’re the new people in town. Max—with his skateboard and his long, dark curly hair, and a half smile that people think is a smirk—looks like he could be dangerous. But he isn’t.

He’s a kind, loving boy. Ever since Max’s dad and I divorced nine years ago when he was seven he’s tried to be the man of the house—taking out the garbage, making sure the doors are locked at night. It wasn’t until just before we moved here that he started getting in trouble and now since he met Clint and Nikki that he’s become so secretive.

When we finally get to town Officer Grady slows the car and asks me if I want to stop at home first. I hesitate. I need to get Violet home and showered and in her own clothes but I also have to get to Max. I don’t know if I trust the cops to follow my order not to let anyone question Max without me there.

“We better go straight to the police station,” I decide. A few minutes later he pulls up in front of the station and I look down at Violet’s feet. She’s wearing only the yellow socks that the nurse gave her. I can’t haul her into the police station dressed the way she is.

“Maybe you want me to take Violet to a relative’s or friend’s house. The police station really isn’t a place for kids.”

I shake my head. “We don’t have family in town. And Violet’s best friend is Cora, so that’s out. I guess I can call a neighbor.”

Violet grabs my wrist. “I want to stay with you,” she says.