“That’s why you got the gun,” Rex said. “Because of the man who killed your stepfather?”

“Or Brewer. I didn’t know he was dead then. I thought he might come to, then come back. I wasn’t going to let him try to take Joshua again.”

Again Rex smiled gently. “How many nights have you guarded Josh, Michael?”

“Every night since then.”

Dani’s expression softened with sympathy. “You must be so tired.”

Michael nodded wearily. “I really want to just go somewhere and sleep.”

“You can do that when we’re finished,” Rex promised. “Where was your mother Friday night and Saturday morning?”

“She has rich friends in Louisville. She was partying with them.”

“Does she do that often?” Rex asked.

“Once or twice a month. Sometimes more.”

Rex noted it. “And your stepfather was always home then?”

Michael swallowed. Nodded.

“That’s when the abuse happened?” Dani asked him.

Another nod. Two tears ran down Michael’s face and Diesel’s eyes stung. Michael’s mother had basically sold her sons for a good time.

At least my mother didn’t know, Diesel thought. It would have killed her if she had.

Diesel squeezed Michael’s good shoulder very lightly, just to remind him that he was there. “You said the man who killed Brewer came back. Have you seen him since he left in the SUV?” he asked the boy.

Michael sagged in his chair. “Yes,” he voiced in a ragged whisper. He was growing too weary to even sign.

“When?” Rex asked.

“A few hours after he took Brewer away in his SUV. I was in Joshua’s room and felt the shaking of the garage door opening. I thought Brewer was coming back.”

“You didn’t think it could be your mom?” Rex asked.

Michael shook his head. “She’d be too stoned to walk, much less drive home. She didn’t get home until Monday morning.”

“Did the man come into your house?” Dani asked.

Michael’s expression became haunted. “He came into Joshua’s room. He was so . . . big. I had the gun in my hands, but they were shaking.” He shook his hands to demonstrate. “I was hiding behind the chair.”

“So he didn’t see you?” Rex asked carefully.

“No. I don’t think so. He just came in and stood at the foot of Joshua’s bed.” Michael frowned. “Like he was . . . checking on him or something. I just hid there, frozen, until he left,” he added, his mouth bending in disgust. “Lot of good I was.”

“You were amazing,” Dani said. “You saved Josh from your stepfather that night. He’s here because of you, Michael.”

“I guess so.”

Rex tapped the table, getting Michael’s attention. “Can you describe the man?”

Michael’s gaze darted up to Diesel, half-guilty and half-apologetic, confirming Diesel’s suspicion that he’d been afraid of a man who resembled him.