Thank god Susan showed up when she did. I didn't think of it at the time, but god-only-knows what my father would have done had he heard that. I was his little girl, and if he thought anyone, including a well-intentioned detective, was causing me harm or trauma, he'd have gotten pretty angry, giving the police even more reason to suspect him.
"What are you doing?" Susan said as the screen door clattered behind her, her indignation growing, her words coming fast and angry, "You can't talk to her without her father present. Why aren't you out looking for Maria? She'd never leave her husband and especially not Allie! And Will would never hurt her, they love each other."
The heated exchange continued, but Susan had pulled me off of the couch and held me close to her, hugging me. I didn't nee
