When I get inside, Mom is on the couch while two police officers rummage through our belongings. I fling myself into her arms, the tears I’d been holding back spilling free.

“Honey, don’t cry. Everything’s okay. We’ll figure this out.”

Pulling back to look at her, I say, “I know who sent the police and I know what they’re looking for.” I glance up at the men. “But they won’t find what they’re looking for because I didn’t steal anything.”

“Of course you didn’t. That’s what I tried explaining to these nice men before you got here. This is a misunderstanding.”

“Let’s go sit on the porch and I’ll tell you everything.” Standing, I turn around to face one of the officers. “Please stay and search every square inch of this house. I don’t want there to be a shadow of a doubt when you leave.”

“Will do, ma’am.”

Days Left Until Summer Break: 138

Jaxon

“I don’t understand why you’re so mad.”

I stop pacing in front of my father’s desk. “Because I was finally getting somewhere with Raegan! Now everything is ruined.”

“I don’t see how it’s ruined. If the ring turns up at her house, we’ll know it was her.”

“And if it doesn’t? Then what?”

“Harry said he might be able to get copies of the girl’s bank statements to see if there were any big deposits.”

“Bank statements? This is getting out of control. I have to work with this woman.”

He sighs as if I’m boring him. “You’re her boss. You have control of the situation.”

I pull my hair through my fingers. “If the ring isn’t at her house, this ends here.”

“Jaxon—”

“No, Dad! I mean it. I want this to end. Do you hear me?”

He tilts his seat back and crosses his arms, staring at me long and hard.

I spin around and walk toward the door. When I swing it open, Dad calls out to me.

“All of our choices have consequences, son. This is what happens when you take random women home from the bar.”

I bite my tongue and slam the door behind me on my way out. I smack into my mother and clutch my chest.

“Mom. Jesus. You scared me.”

She points her index finger in my face. “I don’t care who it is, but someone in this house needs to tell me what’s going on.”

“Nothing, Mom. Everything’s fine.”

Her eyebrows lift. “Oh, everything’s fine? You and your brother have been in and out of your father’s office, whispering about something you don’t want me to know.” She plants her hands on her hips. “You are going to tell me, Jaxon.”

Giving in, I gesture to the living room. “Let’s go sit.”