“I’m sorry for the wait,” he says. “And may I just quickly reintroduce Minerva Cummins to you, although I’m sure you remember us both.”

“Of course I do,” I say. They came like reapers into my life; I’ll never forget either of their faces, ever.

“Officer Mills, I hadn’t actually been told you were coming to this meeting.”

“I’m only here for Ruth,” Sully says. He places a warm hand over top of mine. Minerva tracks it and briefly I wonder if everyone who works in Alex’s office is in love with Sully.

“Where’s Alex?” I ask.

“On her way. She’s running a little bit late this morning.” Morris smiles apologetically.

“Right,” Sully says.

I shake my head. Is she doing it on purpose, to make an entrance? Will she bring my baby, or leave him at home with Chase?

Sully nudges me, and I focus on what Morris is saying. “I know it’s been a tough month. But we’re all here to see if we can find the best pathway forward for Will.”

“Give him back, then,” I say.

“Sometimes, the best solution for a child isn’t always what you as a birth parent might—” Morris begins, but I can’t hear him anymore, because Alex has arrived in a flurry into the boardroom. She’s alone. No Chase. And no Will. I stare at her, my eyes hard. The last time I saw her she slammed the door in my face.

“Sorry,” she says. “I was up all night and …” She stops short at the sight of Sully. “I’ve been working hard. Protecting the ones I can.” Sully meets her gaze, but his face stays neutral.

“So now that we’re all here,” Morris says, placing both palms flat on the table, “let’s outline the situation as it stands. As you know, concerns were brought to light about the safety of Will Van Ness.”

Across the table, I watch my sister, the child protection worker, operating however she sees fit, abusing her power. All I feel for her is sadness and anger. But she sits placidly, as if protected by an invisible shield. How did we end up here?

“In the month that’s gone by, Minerva and I have managed to gather collaterals regarding Eli Beck, the alleged father of Will—and in fact, Officer Mills, your department has been very helpful with that.”

“Eli Beck has an extensive criminal record,” Sully says. “It’s not a secret.”

“No, but the problem lies in the ongoing contact he has with Ms. Van Ness,” Morris says. “We can’t in good faith say that a child will be safe if he is in such close proximity to a known felon.”

“He’s not in close proximity,” I say. “I left Eli behind in Pittsburgh.”

“Did you?” Alex replies. It’s all I can do not to launch across the table and beat her.