“Do you know what it’s like to wake up to the sound of your son screaming in agony? I swear to you at least once a week I wake up in the middle of the night to that scream. It sounds so real. I relive that night over and over again. Even after I grabbed Aidan and got him out of the house, even after I managed to cover his body with my own, lying there on the grass, I had to wait for the medics, watching as he writhed in agony, his screams growing louder and louder, as part of his goddamn face melted off. I knew his mother was responsible for this. I knew it. She wanted us both dead. I live with that every single day. That is my reality. Enough time has passed that Maureen has forgotten about us. That’s all I wanted. I know I might sound callous or selfish, but my job is looking after Aidan. Let’s say I get involved, and Maureen finds out. Who do you think she’s targeting next?”

“We can protect you. The police will protect you.”

He scoffed. “Like they protected your daughter? You work for the goddamn police and she still got to her.” He shook his head, his hands trembling again as he fumbled with the lighter. “I’ll say it again, there’s no fucking way I’m getting near any of this.”

Becca could feel tears forming, the sense of failure returning. “You’re going to turn your back on my daughter? On all the other kids Maureen hurt, on the families she’s destroyed?”

“If it means keeping Aidan safe, hell yes,” Paul said. He moved quickly, standing up and crossing the distance from the patio table to the door of the Airstream in a matter of seconds. Becca followed, but it was too late. He slammed the door in her face, effectively shutting her out.

Becca stood there in disbelief. She thought about pounding on the door, screaming until he returned or the neighbors complained. It was clear he’d made up his mind. Even if he had a smoking gun to implicate Mo, he wasn’t talking. Becca didn’t agree with him, but she understood. A parent has an obligation to protect their child at all costs.

She headed out of the trailer park and made her way back to her car. The beach was desolate, only a few sightseers with cameras, and wayward seagulls searching for food. Becca climbed inside the car and yawned. She was exhausted and still had no leads for Wishard. For once, she was out of ideas. Becca leaned her head on the steering wheel.

A tapping on the window startled her. She jerked upright and saw Aidan Wilson staring back at her. Surprised, Becca wiped away her tears, trying to seem put together, and opened the door. She scanned the beach for any sign of Paul.