Excerpt of Included!

DOWN RIVER“Do you remember those fishing cabins I told you about? The ones downriverfrom Dolf ’s house?”“Yes.”“The second one down is owned by Zebulon Faith.” They both looked atme. “Danny’s father,” I said.“How far down from where she was attacked?” Grantham asked.“Less than two miles.”“Well, all right.”“I want to be there when you talk to him,” I said.“Out of the question.”“I did not have to tell you. I could have had the conversation myself.”“This is a police matter. Stay out of it.”“It’s not your family.”“It’s not yours either, Mr. Chase.” He stepped closer, and although hisvoice was measured, the anger spilled over the lines. “When I want somethingelse from you, I’ll tell you about it.”“You wouldn’t have him without me,” I said.“Stay out of it, Mr. Chase.”I left the hospital as a low moon pushed silver through the trees. I drove fast,my head full of blood and grim rage. Danny Faith. Robin was right. He’dchanged, crossed the line, and there was no going back. What I’d said to Robinwas true.I could kill him.When I got to the farm, it felt off: the road too narrow, turns in the wrongplaces. Fence posts rose up from colorless grass, barbed wire dark and tight betweenthem. I passed the turn for Dolf ’s house before I knew it was there. Ibacked up, hung right onto a long stretch where I’d once taught Grace todrive. She’d been eight years old, and could barely see over the wheel. I couldstill hear the way she laughed, feel the disappointment when I told her she wasgoing too fast.Now she was in the hospital, fetal and broken. I saw the stitches in her lips,the thin slivers of blue when she tried to open her eyes.67