I inhaled through my nose, trying desperately to keep from losing my lunch all over the drive. “My dad?” How had it come to this? Had she told him he needed to turn himself in, and he’d turned on her? As despicable as he was, I just couldn’t see him doing that. But then again, I hadn’t really known my parents at all.

Parker looked out at the land around us as if searching for the right answer. “Signs point that way. But it could be someone else mixed up in that crowd. A player we’re not thinking about.”

My breaths started coming quicker. “If that’s true, the list of possibilities is endless. How do I keep the kids safe when it could be anyone? Did you know that my dad got Patti’s husband hooked on that stuff? God knows how many people on this island hate us because of what my parents did.”

Parker’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know. But that’s no reason to hate you.”

Griffin rubbed a hand up and down my arm. “He’s right. It’s not.”

“People aren’t always logical. It doesn’t take much to breed hate or fear in someone.” I’d seen it time and again, and I knew Griffin had, too. I met his gaze, silently urging him to understand.

He brushed his mouth against mine. “We’re going to keep you safe.”

I gave my head a little shake. “We can’t be everywhere all the time. I’ll be at work; the kids will be at two different schools. Not to mention Mia’s gymnastics and Will’s football. How is it possible to keep eyes on them at all times?”

Griffin squeezed the back of my neck in a rhythm I knew was meant to calm. “We’re going to divide and conquer. Ford and Crosby already offered to help, and you know Hunter will, too. Between us, them, and Bell and Kenna, the kids won’t be alone outside of school. Not for a single second.”

“I’m stationing an officer outside of the elementary school for the next few weeks at least,” Parker added. “The high school already has a security guard. And I’m giving him a radio that will keep him in contact with the department. We’ve got the tiny terrors covered.”

Many on the island had thought it was a bit ridiculous to have a security guard in a high school the size of Anchor’s. But now, I was counting my lucky stars that someone would be on watch for Will. “What about recess?”

“All of the staff and teachers have been made aware of the situation. They’ll keep a close eye.”

I laced my fingers through Griffin’s, tracing an invisible pattern on the back of his hand. “Okay.”