“Okay. What about referring her to a school counselor?”

“I did, but she hasn’t gotten to know our counselor well yet. I had Claire in class last year and again this year. I think she’s more comfortable with me.”

“Are teachers allowed to pick up students at their homes?”

“In this district, the answer is yes.” She twisted to face him. “I realize this is unorthodox and inconvenient. But I’m glad that Claire has asked someone—in this case, me—for help.”

“I don’t care that this is unorthodox or inconvenient. I do care, a lot, about your safety. I don’t like the sound of the dad with the anger management problem.”

She didn’t like the sound of him, either. She could understand why Sebastian might think it unwise for her to involve herself in Claire’s family life. Yet he hadn’t looked into Claire’s face and experienced a powerful tug of empathy and concern. He didn’t have a seventeen-year-old brother, so he couldn’t have the same soft spot for teenagers that she had.

Leah texted Claire.

We’ll be there in five minutes.

No response.

They pulled into a development of 1980s tract homes aspirationally named Tranquility River. Slivers of space separated structures with tiny fenced backyards. On Serene Court, dehydrated shrubs clung to the planting beds outside Claire’s two-story home.

“There’s a gun cabinet in the front room,” Sebastian said.

She could see it, too. The lights illuminating the downstairs front room provided a clear view of the interior.

Claire did not emerge.

Leah sent Claire another text, alerting her to their arrival.

Still nothing.

“Why isn’t she answering my texts?” she wondered out loud. “I’m worried.”

“I’m worried, too.”

“Should I go knock on the door?”

“No. If someone needs to, I’ll go. But I don’t think it’ll help. I can’t imagine a parent sending their daughter off with a man they’ve never met.”

“I think I’ll try to call—”

“Is this her?”

Leah’s vision swung up. Claire hurried down the front walkway.

Sebastian walked around the car to open the back door for her.

Leah punched the button to lower her window. “Hi.”

“Hi,” Claire said in a small voice.

Leah introduced Sebastian as Claire got settled in the back seat.

“You okay?” Leah asked while Sebastian returned to the driver’s side.

“Mmm-hmm.” Converse and jeggings poked out from today’s huge black sweater. Her skin looked pale; her reddish ringlets weary.

“Are your sisters and brother all right? We can give them a ride somewhere, too, if needed.”

“They’re all right. It’s me he got mad at.”

“Where to?” Sebastian asked.

“My friend’s house. Um, do you know Abby Michaelson, Ms. Montgomery?”

“I know who she is, yes.”

“She lives on the west side of town. So if you just drive toward Azalea Avenue, that’ll be good.”