She listened. Sean couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation. “I don’t want to worry you,” Marie said, “but something odd is going on and I was wondering if Billy could come stay with you and the boys? Just for a day or two.” Silence, then, “I trust you, of course I trust you, it’s just—something is going on with Stan. I don’t know what, but he has me a bit scared…” Again, she listened. “Thank you. Thank you, Mom, I’ll call you later.” She hung up. “Now I have my mother-in-law worried and mad at me. She’s retired military, says she can take care of herself and the boys. But she’s going to call Johnny’s brother. Billy will keep an eye on all of them.”

Sean wasn’t certain that would work, not if someone was determined to get to two young kids in order to leverage either their mother or their uncle.

Marie said, “Billy is very capable. He was in the Army for six years, he’s in the Reserves, he’ll know if anyone is watching the house or my boys are in danger. And my mom—she’s smart and protective. Reminded me she’s a better shot than both her sons.” She closed her eyes. “I just don’t understand what’s happening. None of this has anything to do with my kids.”

“Hopefully, knowing that the boys are safe, Stan will shed some light on the situation.” It was after eight, and he needed to get the information to Max, who had been texting him for the last fifteen minutes.

“I need to get to the courthouse,” Marie said to Sean.

“I would be happy to take you.”

“Thank you, but I don’t know you. I’m going to drive myself. You can follow if you want, but I’m taking my car.”

“I understand.”

“I need five minutes.”

“Go ahead, I’ll wait on the porch.”

He stepped out but kept the door open. He didn’t think she would bolt on him, but if Max was going to tell Stan his sister was safe, Sean needed to make sure she stayed safe.

“And call the police, report the photo,” he added through the screen.

The more Sean thought about it, the more he thought the threat was aimed at Stan. Do … what? Say … what? Or we can get to your family.

Because chances were that Marie would go to her brother with the photo had she been the one to find it. Ask him what was going on. And then what would he do? Change his plea again?

Sean hit Max’s number. She answered immediately. “I have two minutes,” she said. “Grant’s being brought to the courthouse as we speak and his attorney will have only fifteen minutes with him.”