ace a mask of confusion and concern. "Av

t have heard the commotion or gotten a tip,

g here?" she aske

lowed me onto the lawn. Their

w, they wore masks of

her voice trembling artfully. "Thank goodnes

hey attacked me! They t

r said, his tone gentle, soothing. He

added, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "This...

, his brow furrowed. "I don' t under

ce conspiratorially. "We' re worried she' s havi

e was still pointed a

interjected, shaking his head sadly.

rson asked. "I wasn't a

an accident. Sophie' s been unwell, recuperating. Ava hasn' t taken it well. We think... we think Ava beli

inning. What w

? An a

ted. "I don' t know wha

aid softly to Mr. Henderson.

esperation clawing at me. "They att

t privately, Mr. Henderson. We didn' t want to alarm anyone. This achievement... it'

uncertain. Brenda Scy

she' s mentally unst

orrected, his face a perfect picture of

Their calm, pained expres

wavering. Scykes looked

de," Mr. Henderson suggest

. "Don' t li

inside, Ava. Let' s

eager Brenda Scykes back towards the house, my ey

family photo on

d never s

ther. And a girl. A gi

no

led differently,

ph

oing crazy? Did I have a

and insidious, b