“Barney’s technically right, but Zorah—my lawyer contact—said she doubted a judge would rule that Jane had violated her bail conditions if she hadn’t missed a court date yet.”

The tight knot of Molly’s stomach eased ever so slightly, and she had to lean back more heavily against the table. John must’ve caught the slight movement, since he took a step closer, his hands reaching toward her as if he was prepared to catch her before she fell. Luckily for her presence of mind, he stopped before he was close enough to touch.

“Maybe you should sit down.”

Ignoring the suggestion, she stiffened her spine so she could remove her hands from the table behind her and stand unsupported. Now was not the time for her to get literally weak in the knees. She could collapse later—much later—once they’d figured out the situation and their house was safe from Barney’s clutches. “I’m fine. So, we’re good until her arraignment, then?”

“Preliminary hearing.” The correction sounded oddly gentle, but she still winced at the reminder.

“Right. She gets a preliminary hearing, since she committed a felony.” She paused as she fought off an overwhelming surge of anger and anxiety. “Several felonies. So…we have thirty days, then?”

“Thirty to forty-five, yeah.” He was watching her closely from his spot just a few steps away. She didn’t like him treating her as if she might break. It made her want to collapse into his arms and bawl, which wouldn’t solve anything. She was the oldest of her sisters, and they were counting on her to lead them through this, just like she’d done during the many, many other messes Jane had thrown them into.

“Okay.” Taking a deep breath, she held it until her brain spun a little, and then released it in a long, silent exhalation. “This is good news. It gives us time.”

A heavy knock on the front door made her jerk back. For an irrational moment, she felt a gut-deep fear that Barney was there to toss them out of their home, but then logic reasserted itself. She’d just learned that they had at least a month to figure a way out of this. Whoever was at the door wasn’t there to evict them…yet.

She belatedly started moving through the living room, but John was there first, putting his significant bulk between her and the door. As she stared at his broad back, she blinked, more baffled than annoyed by his protective action.

“What are you doing?” she asked quietly as the knocking stopped.

“Let me see who it is first.” His voice was just a low rumble, and she wanted to laugh at their whispers. As far as she knew, there was no reason to hide from their latest visitor, but they were both muttering quietly at each other.

“No. It’s my house, dum-dum.” Slipping around him, she hurried to the door, knowing that it had taken her long enough that whoever it was might have already left.

“‘Dum-dum’?” he repeated, although he kept his words quiet. “Are you five?”