“We’re going to continue to question Crystal. This isn’t a standard case, but of course there will be consequences once you press charges.”

Press charges. Instantly, I’m shuttled back to the man who hit and killed Chris. I didn’t press charges then. Should I now? “But what about Oliver? And Savi?”

He sniffs and straightens a file on the desk. “They’ll be awarded to the state temporarily.”

Something buzzes in my head. “No.” I grasp the edge of the table as my world tilts. “Absolutely not. Savi just lost her father. She can’t lose her mother too.”

“It’s the law.” He chews over his words. “And if the mother’s unstable, then they’ll be better off.”

“No.” I say it again, firmly. I hold my baby—a baby who is unharmed, a baby who is back in my arms, safe and sound. This is what I was after. Jackson back home. Not revenge to right some wrong I can’t possibly understand. “I’m not going to press charges.”

Three heads snap in my direction. “Rebecca,” Jake urges.

I lift my hand to stop him. “That child will go home to her mother, as will Oliver. Get her supervision or help or whatever. But there will be no more disruptions in Savi’s life or fear that her only other parent will disappear too. Absolutely not.” I shake my head, more certain than I feel. Shouldn’t Crystal be punished for what she’s done?

I, more than anyone, understand that grief can make you do crazy things. Maybe she wasn’t thinking straight. But I know she loves Savi. I know she can be a good mother to Oliver with the right help.

“Ma’am, we really don’t advise that.”

“Then let me talk to her.” I shock myself with my own request. “And then I’ll decide.” I hitch my jaw in that stubborn way Jake knows he can’t fix.

Jake whispers something into the chief’s ear, and the two murmur back and forth. Officer Toby doesn’t say a word. “Fine,” the chief finally says. “But we’ll be watching.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I say. I hoist Jackson, pat his back, and mentally prepare to face her. “Lead the way.”

47

BEC

The interrogation room is cold. Crystal gasps when she sees me. I sink into the metal chair across from her and grind my teeth to keep from screaming. The two-way glass is behind me, only Crystal’s face visible for the viewing pit.

“Rebecca.” Her voice wavers between fearful and remorseful.

I steel myself for whatever is to come, unbuckle Jackson from my chest, and twist him around to face her. “How could you?” My words are tiny, the meaning sharp. How could you take something that doesn’t belong to you? How could you betray me? How could you lie?

“It’s not what you think.”