“It’s not just work, Hunter. It’s our family business. It pays your school bills, and your legal bills,” he said, sounding tired. “You are putting everything at risk. Our family’s Princeton legacy. Your future. My business. We have a lot on the line here.” He sighed and was quiet for a moment, then continued. “Look, I know that things haven’t always been easy. Your mom leaving . . . I know how hard it was on you. But you need to focus on the future. And take some responsibility. I want you in the headmaster’s office, first thing tomorrow morning, with a plan to get your GPA back up in time to graduate. I don’t care what it takes.”

“What about the police?”

“I’ll put a call in to our attorneys, and to Hal Buckley, and see what I can find out. In the meantime, I don’t want you discussing this with anyone. And no talking to the police without me or our lawyer present. Got it?”

“Got it,” Hunter mumbled.

Dom looked at his watch. “I’m late,” he said. “I need to get back up to Manhattan. Lindsay, walk me out?” He turned to Hunter as he left: “Don’t forget to check in with the headmaster tomorrow morning. He’ll be open to a plan. But you need to talk to him.”

So his father had made some sort of deal with the school on his behalf. As usual, his dad was only giving away as much as he had to. But the news about the cops showing up at the house shook him.

“Thanks for stopping by!” he called out to his father’s departing back, feeling a hot wave of rage, its power surprising him. He usually tried to care about what his father thought exactly as much as he figured his father cared about him. But Dom didn’t hear him. He was busy kissing Lindsay on the cheek and sliding into the Jag, his mind already on other things.

Will saw Hunter striding across the orchard as he pulled up the driveway to the farm after school. He parked and pulled his backpack out of the bed of the truck.

Hunter was making good time across the field. As he approached, Will noticed that his face was flushed and his hands, shoved into his pockets, were balled into fists.

“Hey,” he said, his voice clipped.

“Hi. What’s up?”

“You wanna tell me?”

Will laughed uncomfortably and shrugged his shoulders, not sure if Hunter was kidding around or what. Will tried again. “What’s up, man?”

“I’m just going to ask you straight out,” Hunter said, staring at Will. “Did you give my name to the cops?”

Will just looked at him. “What the fuck, Hunter? Why would I do that?”