She looked behind him, saw two policemen walking up, shook her head.

He understood. “The cops said the owners may press charges,” he said. “Breaking and entering.”

“Who are the owners?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

The policemen reached them, asked her what happened, and she concocted an impromptu story about wanting to see the house of her birth parents and passing out inside the kitchen that sounded ludicrously unbelievable to her, but they nodded as she spoke, and one of the policemen suggested that she have one of the paramedics look her over.

“I will,” she said. “Just let me… collect myself first.”

They nodded, and Josh walked with them over to a fireman in a white uniform who appeared to be in charge of the rescue effort.

Laurie looked up at the dark bulk of the House and shivered as she thought of everything that had happened to her since she’d gone in there.

“Miss?” She turned to see an old white-haired man in a police uniform walk up to where she was standing. There was a strange expression on his face, and it made her feel a trifle uneasy. She looked around for Josh, saw him standing by the vehicles, talking.

“I always wondered what happened to you,” the white-haired cop said.

She shook her head, not recognizing him. “I’m sorry…”

He smiled sadly. “I’m the one who was in charge of your parents’ case. The one you talked to when you first came into the station.”

She still did not recognize him, but she understood now why his appearance had made her uneasy. She licked her lips, not knowing what to say.

He moved next to her. “What really happened in there?” he asked softly.

“I don’t… I don’t know what you mean.”

“I know about that house,” he said, looking up at it. “I know what happens there.”

Part of her wanted to tell him, wanted to confide in him, but she resisted the impulse, for his sake as well as her own. She might tell Josh what had occurred, but that would be it. Her lips were sealed. This was not something she wanted to share, not something anyone needed to know.

“I don’t remember,” she lied.

“But something happened.”

“I think so,” she told him, feigning confidentiality. “But I’ve either blocked it out or…” She trailed off.

He nodded, satisfied.

“My brother says they’re pressing charges against us?”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “There won’t be any charges. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Thank you,” she told him.

Behind him, she saw Josh wave to her, finished with the fireman, and she said, “My brother’s calling me.” She stepped around the policeman, and her heart was pounding as though she’d done something wrong, as though she was afraid he’d arrest her.

“I would suggest staying away from here,” the cop said.