“No. We don’t know where he is, but they’re convinced Jamal killed Angela out by the Pike. But how, Daddy? Why?”

Daddy’s searching for answers, too. I don’t want to tell him more because I don’t want it to end up hurting Jamal. Not until I know what happened. His eyes are weighted with worry. Silent. He’s never been shy about giving advice. Rather than speak, he slumps his shoulders. He doesn’t know what to do.

Neither do I. A sinking, hopeless feeling presses heavily in the pit of my stomach.

Daddy grabs my hand. “Hire a lawyer.”

“Mama’s looking, also fund-raising through the church. I don’t know how we’re going to pay. We’ll have to get free legal counsel, but they won’t be assigned until he’s arrested.”

I wish I didn’t have to be the one to put it out there on the table that we can’t afford a good defense lawyer. We’re barely hanging on as it is.

Daddy rubs his chin. “You have that list of the lawyers I’ve worked with?”

All of them were useless. A lump grows in my throat. To trust the lawyers that failed my daddy? I don’t know if I can.

“Give ’em to your mama. One of them might help,” Daddy says.

“Daddy, what if—”

“Call them.” His face goes stern.

“I will. Beverly said the same thing. Do you think she can help?”

“She’s brand-new to the force. I doubt she has any pull. She has to prove herself, too.” Daddy squeezes my hand again to get me to focus. “Get ahold of Jamal. Find him. The longer he waits, the worse it’s gonna get.”

“I don’t know where he is. What am I supposed to do if I can’t find him?”

“If anyone can find him, you can. And what do you mean, what you gonna do? You gonna do what you were born to do. You a fighter. Chase down his friends until they tell you something. Make sure the police don’t run down my boy, do one of your rights workshops, a community gathering. Keep yourself busy—but outta trouble.”

“I went by Mrs. Ridges’, and she told me to tell you she was praying for you.”

“Tell her I said I’m doing fine. I be praying for her, too.”

“Do you think Jamal will be like Jackson? Fight being taken in?” My biggest fear is things will go down like that with Jamal.

“Jackson had his own history with the police. He thought he was protecting his family. He had a big heart and didn’t think about consequences. All he ever wanted was to build something for his family in Crowning.” Daddy frowns. “I don’t know why he thought he could barricade himself like that…”