He didn’t flinch, didn’t blink. “Ma’am, we’ll be speaking with everyone involved to get the facts. If you want to bring your son to the station, we’ll get all the details and figure it out together. I understand this is difficult for you, but I need to speak with your son.”

As his words draped one over another, it felt like a red-hot brand to my brain.

“Did Aria press the charges, or was it her parents?” I demanded fiercely.

“I’m not at liberty to say at this moment, ma’am. Like I said, I need to speak with Ryan in person, down at the station, now. Once we get his statement we can get to the bottom of it. Right now no one is in trouble.”

“So he’s not under arrest, right? He’ll be coming home after your interrogation?”

“No, ma’am, he’s not under arrest. We only need his statement. If the DA feels the charges are legitimate, there will be a formal arrest. But for now, all we need is to ask him some questions, get his side of the story. Is he home?”

“Yes, he’s in the basement. I’ll go get him.” I opened the door wider, letting the detective step inside the foyer while I headed toward the stairs. I paused as something occurred to me. “Do we need an attorney?”

“If he hasn’t done anything wrong, there’s no need for one. Like I said, we just want to know what happened from his point of view.”

As I turned the corner to head down to the basement, a turret of dark brown hair slid into view. Lucas, awake from his nap, eyes wide with confusion and worry. No child should have to watch his big brother, his idol, being hauled off in a cop car.

“Hey, Fizz,” I said, lifting him up and smoothing down his bedhead. I grunted as I hugged him against me. My little boy felt so big in my arms. “Why are you awake, buddy? Naptime isn’t over yet.”

“I saw the policeman through my window. Is Ryan going to jail?” he asked.

“No, sweetie, of course not. They just want to ask a couple questions, Fizz. No biggie.”

I could tell my words held no comfort as his eyes dampened. I pressed my lips to his sweet naïve head, channeling his warmth to my heart. I loved him more than life itself, and I would do anything to protect my children. Anything.

“Hey, I promise everything will be fine.”