“I said I’d try and track him down, and I kept my word. I made hundreds of calls, followed up with social workers all over the city, made the rounds at local shelters, asking them to call if a kid that matched Nate’s description turned up. Got nowhere. A year after Ash moved in, I get a call from a social worker. She said the cops arrested a minor by the name of Nate Sutton. Charged him with assaulting the owner of a liquor store. I couldn’t believe it. I’d finally found him. I decided not to tell Ash right away. I wanted to see him first. I drove to Riverside to the juvenile facility where Nate was being held. I met his social worker. The picture she painted about this kid was ugly. Violent family. History of abuse. Mom murdered by his father, who took his own life, and Nate had a front-row seat to this whole thing.”

“And the assault… what did he say about that?” Christian asked.

“Claimed the assault was self-defense, that the man at the store was trying to screw with him, and he was just defending himself. I didn’t doubt his story. It sounded credible. My heart broke for this kid. All the cards were stacked against him. The social worker agreed to arrange a meeting.”

“I’m taking the visit didn’t go well,” Christian said.

“It wasn’t bad,” Becca said, every detail of the day rushing back. The giant open area with half a dozen round ceramic tables, and ugly white tile floors. The posters on the wall with bland inspirational sayings like “Mindset is everything.”

Across from Becca, Nate glared at her, the angriest fourteen-year-old she’d ever met. “Did your caseworker tell you why I’m here?” she asked. He grunted no, crossing his arms defensively.

“I wanted to see if you were okay, and if there was anything you needed?” she said.

“Getting out of this fucking place would be a start,” Nate said.

“I’m afraid I don’t have that kind of authority. I was thinking money for snacks or toiletries…”

He leaned forward. “Why would you do that? Who are you?”

“We have a mutual friend in common. Her name is Ash,” Becca said. All the walls Nate put up, the crossed arms, the scowl, all of it vanished. He sat up straight, leaning forward, his eyes no longer flat and dull. “You know Ash? Is she okay? That pervert didn’t hurt her, did he?”

“Ash is good. She’s safe and doing well.”

He relaxed, his shoulders loosening. “Can I see her? Or talk to her?”

“I don’t know.”

“You asked if I needed anything, I’m asking for this. I just want to hear her voice and tell her I’m sorry I left her. Please can’t you try and make that happen?”