Frank opened the door. Lila stood outside holding a pizza box. She looked pale and shaken.

“Mom?” Emily said, taking the box from her.

“What’s wrong?” Frank asked.

Lila stepped inside. Behind her stood two police officers. One of them, a chunky gray-haired man with an American eagle tattoo just visible on his upper arm beneath his short shirt sleeve, showed them his badge and gave his name, which Emily barely registered. “Emily Harlow?”

“Officer?” Frank said, positioning himself squarely in the doorway, his arm wrapped around Emily’s shoulders, keeping her glued to his side.

The officer said to Emily, “We’d like you to come with us to the East Hartwell police station to answer some questions.”

“Police station?” Frank said. Emily felt his grip on her loosen a bit as he exhaled. “Okay, then. I guess that means I’ll have to meet you there.” Emily looked at him, surprised. Then she realized how relieved he must be that the police weren’t here to search the house. It would take two seconds for them to spot the boxes of hardware from Mr. Murphy’s storage unit that were sitting on the kitchen table.

For her part, Emily was just as glad not to ride in the car again with Frank. Best-case, he’d harangue her about what she should and shouldn’t do once they got there. Worst-case? She wasn’t ready to face what that entailed.

Frank closed the door, leaving the police officers outside to wait for Emily. “Well played,” he said, giving Emily a hug. She stiffened and pulled away. Frank didn’t seem to notice.

Lila appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. “You’re not going anywhere alone,” she said. “I’m coming with you.” Obviously she’d been listening.

Lila’s no-nonsense support would have been a godsend, and Emily was about to say so when Frank said, “We need someone to be here in case the police come back with another search warrant.”

Sadly, Emily had to agree. “If nothing else, as a witness.”

“But—” Lila began to protest.

“Don’t worry,” Emily said, forcing a smile. “I’ll be okay. I just need my gear bag.” She didn’t want to have it confiscated in another police search.

Lila disappeared and returned a moment later with the bag. “You’re sure?” Lila said. Emily gave her a hug.

Frank said, “Go on. Give me ten minutes and I’ll meet you there. Meanwhile . . .” He put a finger to his lips.

37

EMILY WASN’T SURPRISED when the backseat of the police car felt like a cage. But now it made her feel safe and gave her the private space she needed to sort her thoughts. As the cruiser drove off, she imagined Frank already heading out of their house, taking with him empty ice bags and Mr. Murphy’s boxes. He was right, the police had executed a search warrant the last time they’d questioned her.