Dr. Dani squeezed his knees again to get his attention. “What?” she asked. “Your face went pale again.”

“What do I have to tell him?”

Dr. Dani’s expression softened. “You tell him everything that you can.”

Michael swallowed, glancing over at the lawyer again before returning his focus to the doctor. “I can’t.” He leaned forward and she shifted so that no one could see what he signed. Giving him privacy. “He’ll think I did it. He’ll think I hated Brewer because . . .” He swallowed again. “You know.”

“I know. But he can’t protect you if he doesn’t know. I’ll stay with you.”

“What about the cops? Don’t I get to talk to the lawyer without them first?”

Dani’s lips curved. “You watch TV cop shows, too, huh? They’re going to leave so that you can talk to Mr. Clausing. In private.”

He glanced again at the lawyer, who sat patiently. He looked calm.

But I still don’t like it. I don’t trust him. I can’t trust him.

“He’s too fancy to be Coach Diesel’s friend.”

Dr. Dani’s eyes widened. “What? No, honey. Coach has all kinds of fancy friends. Some of his best friends are super-rich.”

“Can you ask him again? Please? Make sure this guy is who he says he is.”

Dr. Dani hesitated. “Do you want Coach here with you when you talk to the lawyer? Would that make you feel better?”

Michael wanted to say no. He didn’t want Coach to know. He didn’t want anyone to know. He was surrounded by people that he’d never met before this afternoon and they were expecting him to trust them. Just like that.

He wanted to trust them. He really wanted to. But if they put him in jail, Joshua would be alone. Coach had helped them. He’d taken care of Joshua.

He made Michael feel safe.

He jerked a nod, blinking back new tears. Dammit, he hated to cry. Especially in front of all these cops. “But he’s with Joshua. I don’t want Joshua here. Not in the police station.”

“I agree. Let me see what I can do.”

Michael dropped his chin. “They’ll be mad if they have to wait. The lawyer might leave.”

“I think they can all wait a little while longer. I’m more worried about you. You need to be able to think and communicate. And you can’t do that if you’re afraid.”

Michael nodded slowly. “Okay. Call him. Please?”

She stroked his cheek and he leaned into her touch. “I will. Right now.”

Chapter Six

Cincinnati, Ohio
Saturday, March 16, 5:10 p.m.

Marcus O’Bannion leaned against Diesel’s desk in his office at the Ledger. “He’s a cute kid.”