“Grant, Iris is taking you out of the country,” Mr. Butler says.

“Why?”

“Because she can’t stay here. She can’t. She’ll be arrested soon.”

Grant’s mind whirls. His mother. Running from the police and not wanting to leave him behind. She did it, then. She did it. She killed Danielle. Not Dad. Or Julia. His mom, his wonderful, fiery mom would take on the entire world for him. Running from the police. For only one reason.

Grant pulls free of both the Butlers. He’s stronger than he looks, and Steve Butler releases his hold on him. Grant runs forward, because the Butlers are moving too slowly.

They hurry after him.

He stays on the greenbelt, panting, nerves screaming, mind racing. If he and Mom run, what happens to Julia and Dad? They cannot just leave them. What if both his parents were involved in the murder? What happens if they both go to jail? What will he do? He cannot imagine his world. He has to talk Mom out of this. He has to get her to see reason. But if Mom killed Danielle, what can he say? What can he do except go with her? He can’t let her go alone. He can’t.

Mr. Butler catches him, grabs his arm. “You’ll run past our house if you’re not careful.”

Now Grant stops, panting. He allows Mr. Butler to lead him into a backyard that needs mowing, into the brick two-story that is a few down from his house and Danielle’s house.

They go inside. He calls, “Mom! Mom!”

“Grant,” a low voice rumbles. He sees Mike Horvath step from the shadows. “Are you all right?”

“Where’s my mom?”

“Change of plans. She couldn’t get here, not with the press around and the police coming. She’d be arrested immediately. I’m going to take you to her.” He looks at the Butlers. “I’ll take it from here.”

“OK,” the Butlers both say, in unison.

Mike’s car is in the Butlers’ garage and the door powers up. Peter is in the back seat, looking pale. Mike pushes Grant down in the back seat so the press throng won’t see him, then backs out of the driveway. Mr. Butler obligingly closes the garage door.

“Stay down,” Mike says.

“Where is my mom?”

“I’m taking you to her right now.”

Peter puts his hand on Grant’s back, and Grant feels a little reassured. “Are the police looking for her?”

“Yes. I talked to your dad’s lawyer.” Mike’s voice is hard.

The feeling in his chest is so tight, Grant can’t breathe. He clenches his eyes closed. “Are you helping Mom get out? Where would we go?”

“Canada first. Then elsewhere.”

“You’ll like Canada,” Peter says. “We still have a house there. I have a great game system.”