With that, Branson has his hand on Betsy’s back and he’s pushing and walking her through the crowd.

By now, everyone has stopped talking. All eyes are on us, my little family imploding again. I suck in my stomach, keep my eyes on the ground. I’m so glad I wore this dress. I follow behind Betsy, Bo and David. We’re in a single file line on our way to the finish line.

Focus, Jane.

Betsy is crying, big sobs shake her body. Bo is trying to comfort her while looking bug-eyed and terrified. David’s on the phone, no doubt talking to the expensive attorney we used before, when the cloud of suspicion briefly hung over us, before the death was ruled a tragic accident. Or maybe he’s calling Kylie. Who knows?

David grabs hold of Betsy, pulling her into his arms. “Mr. Jones will meet us there. Don’t worry. This is all a big mistake.” They’re hugging in front of the police car, like idiots. What a photo op. Want to look guilty? Hug as you get in the back of a police car. That shot will explode social media. They won’t be able to escape it. Ever. As I watch students take the shot on their phones, I keep my back to the crowd.

“One of you can ride with Betsy and Officer Trippit. The other two can ride with me.” Branson opens the squad car door.

“Dad. Please. Come with me.” Betsy’s losing control, she’s breathing funny. Maybe a panic attack? She could get that from me, I suppose. She sits down on the back seat while her dad walks around to the other side of the squad car. Another great guilty-looking photo op.

I have to tell her something. I look around, make sure most of the kids already recorded their video. I lean down, close to Betsy’s triple-pierced ear. “Pull yourself together. People are watching. You overcame your fear of heights to go up there with Mary, and do what you did. You must be good at self-control sometimes, although from your choice in men, I’d say most of the time you aren’t.”

I stand up, and I’m about to close the door to the squad car, when Betsy screams. She points at me. “You did this. You gave them the letter. How could you?”