Harrison straightened and smiled at Reggie. “I’m okay now. Dad found a doctor for me. I talked to Dr. Nina, and she helped me understand I hadn’t done anything wrong. I’m better, except I don’t like being in the dark.”

“That makes sense,” Reggie told him. “You’re so brave. I’m glad you had someone help you heal. I’ve already talked to the manager of the community center, and I told her about the sticky door. It won’t happen again, Harrison. Not there.”

“Thanks, Reggie. I knew you’d understand.” He looked at his father. “I’m going upstairs now, Dad.”

“Okay. I’ll be along in a bit.”

He watched Harrison climb the steps to the family room. When they were alone, he looked at Reggie.

“He wanted to tell you.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” she admitted. “Toby, how did you stand it? You must have wanted to hurt her.”

“I did. Once I got him home and settled, I wanted to go back and exact my revenge.”

Her mouth twisted. “I know you didn’t, even if she deserved it. What did you do?”

“Called a lawyer. I was ready to sign a complaint to press charges, but Harrison didn’t want me to. So I got him in to see a child psychologist.”

“Dr. Nina?”

He nodded. “She was incredible. When he first started seeing her, he couldn’t sleep with the lights out, and he had nightmares every night. Within a couple of sessions, he was doing better. Now he’s rarely bothered, but the closet at the community center threw him.”

She pressed a hand to her chest. “I can’t begin to imagine. Oh, Toby, I’m so sorry. You must have felt awful. Poor Harrison. What was that woman thinking?”

“You mean what was I thinking.”

“How could you have known? No one would ever believe another human was capable of that.”

“I didn’t know.”

She stared at him as if he were crazy. “You would never leave Harrison in a dangerous situation. No rational person would consider it. He’s your son, and you would die for him. None of this is your fault. She’s a sick, sick woman, and I’m sorry you didn’t press charges.”

“Me, too. But he didn’t want to go through it.”

“I understand that, but it leaves me with a lot of rage and nowhere to put it.” She gave him a faint smile. “Sorry. Not your problem. I’m sure you felt the same, but ten times worse.”

“It was a tough time.”

“I hate her.”

He smiled. “That’s my Reggie.”

“I mean it.”

“I know you do.”

She looked fierce and determined, but also frustrated. None of that surprised him. He should have known she would react like this. His worry had been silly and a waste of time.