I did as instructed, and Deputy Raines took his leave. I couldn’t help twisting a loose thread on my jeans as Sheriff Spaulding took my measure, seeming to assess every weakness and flaw in a matter of seconds. “You’re in school at Seattle University.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You working? Taking out loans?”

He must’ve known my parents weren’t helping me in any way. They’d just been happy to have one less mouth to feed. “I have a full academic scholarship. I work part-time to cover my room and board.”

Spaulding nodded, seeming pleased with my answer. “Your parents…”

“Are total and complete wastes of space?” I offered.

“I’m afraid it’s worse than that.”

I gripped the loose thread on my jeans tighter. “Will said he thought they were using drugs.”

“Your father has gotten mixed up with a bad crew. We had suspicions before, but tonight confirmed it. He’s dealing, and I’m not talking pot.”

The string popped off my jeans. “Dealing? He was bringing those people into the house? With the kids there?”

Sheriff Spaulding’s gaze hardened. “I’m afraid so. In and out of the house.”

“I’m going to kill him.”

“You’d have to find him first. And we can’t seem to do that.”

I stiffened. “What do you mean?”

Spaulding leaned back in his chair. “We found your mom holed up in a motel room, high as a kite, needle by the bed. But no sign of your dad.”

Needles. We weren’t even talking prescription pills. “I was home this summer. They were neglectful, yes, but Mom was still caring for Mia. They drank too much, but I saw no sign of drugs.”

“A lot can change in four months, Caelyn.”

Apparently, a whole life could fall apart. “What about the guy who broke in?”

Sheriff Spaulding laced his fingers together and rested his hands on his desk. “Dave Herbert. Arrested on a slew of charges. He won’t be breathing free for a few years, at least.”

It wasn’t enough. He’d scared my siblings to death, probably would’ve hurt them or worse. My stomach roiled at the thought.

“That’s not all,” Spaulding continued. “Your brother gave us a cell phone. I think he thought it might help us find your folks because it belonged to your dad. What was on that phone…it’s going to lead to a lot more arrests.”

“That’s good, right?” I wanted all of these assholes off the streets and far away from my family.

“It is good. But while all this is shaking out, I want you to be cautious.”

All of my muscles seemed to seize at once. “You think they’ll come after the kids?”