I sipped the coffee Mike brought me and leaned against a police car, the flashing blue lights tracing a constant path across my feet, heightening the feeling that I’d wandered onto a crime drama cop show. All around me official types were stringing tape, taking pictures and asking questions. No one was drawing chalk outlines, which I found disappointing. I decided I was in shock. With detached calm, I spotted Mike making his way through the throng of police people. He looked so normal, so real, it was almost obscene.
“How are you feeling?”
I managed a wan smile. “I’m fine. I’m sorry I lost it. I had no idea I was a screamer.”
“It’s a nasty business.”
“Do they—” I had to swallow twice before I could get past the clump of fear clogging my throat. “—know who it was?”
“It’s a kid.” He sho
