Daniel heard me.
His expression softened.
“Because they were trying to protect you.”
I hated that answer.
Parents always thought silence protected their children.
Sometimes silence only left them blind.
The judge called a recess and ordered that copies of the evidence be transmitted to the district attorney’s office.
Before anyone could leave, however, Denise suddenly turned toward me.
“This is your fault.”
I stared at her.
“What?”
“You should have stayed out of this.”
Her mascara streaked beneath her eyes.
She didn’t look elegant anymore.
She looked desperate.
“You were supposed to sign the guardianship papers.”
My skin went cold.
Howard’s attorney whispered something urgently to him.
Denise ignored everyone.
“You could have taken your money and left.”
“Denise,” Howard warned.
She laughed.
It was a strange, broken sound.
“You think I’m going down alone?”
Howard’s face changed.
“Denise.”
“You promised me!”
“Stop talking.”
“You promised the fire would solve everything!”
