No. He wouldn’t snoop just yet. He leaned over and grabbed the bag, knocking it against the steering wheel as he got out of the car. Metal cans clanged inside.
Now he had cause to be suspicious. He unzipped the bag and found several cans of spray paint.
His stomach sank. Just like he suspected. They had been doing more than hanging out at the skate park. He zipped the bag back up and carried it into the house.
He tossed it on the table. “Sophia, get in here.”
Sophia slogged in. “What now?”
“Tell me about these.” He unzipped the bag and dumped the contents on the table.
Sophia’s face paled.
“Why do you have spray paint? In most states, you have to be eighteen to purchase this.”
“Why are you snooping in my stuff!”
Sophia had the audacity to be angry? Really? “I wasn’t snooping. You left your bag in the car, and I picked it up. It made noises it shouldn’t have, so I looked in it.” He grabbed a plastic sack and started picking up the cans. “Believe it or not, I am responsible for you. Not just making sure you’re fed and clothed but also making sure you behave and learn right from wrong. I don’t want to see you get hurt or in trouble.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Sit down. Now.” He pointed at the kitchen chair. “You are not going anywhere until you tell me the truth.”
He pulled a chair out, sat down, leaned back, and crossed his ankle over his knee. This wasn’t just about spray paint or rules. It was about keeping Sophia safe—the way he wished someone had kept his sister protected when she’d needed it most. His faith grounded him here, reminding him that God’s hand was in the messiness, but that didn’t mean he could step back and do nothing.
She plopped into the chair, slouched down, and crossed her arms over her chest. And remained silent.
The only sound filling the kitchen was the ticking of the old clock above the pantry.
Liam remained perfectly still. Sophia, on the other hand, squirmed in her seat and fidgeted with a string on her jeans.
“I have all night.” He stared at her. “You forget what I do for a living. I’ve sat a lot longer and in less comfortable spots. This is like a vacation.”
She gritted her teeth.
Minutes ticked by. It was a battle of wills. Sophia was sorely mistaken if she thought he would give up the will to keep her safe.
She sighed. “Fine.”
He tilted his head and waited for her to talk.
“We met at the skate park, and the others did some graffiti. But nothing bad or serious. Only on the metal trash cans and picnic tables.”
“It was not your property to do anything to, so it is kinda serious. It’s a crime, Soph.”
Sophia let her head drop to her chest. “I know. That’s why when they said they wanted to move on to an abandoned warehouse, I scooped up the cans and we ran.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. Was she telling the truth? “And I should believe you because…”
“Ask Bella, she’ll tell you.” Sophia looked at him wide-eyed, begging him to believe her.
“I will. But first, tell me everything, starting from the vaping incident.” He leaned forward and placed his forearms on his knees, willing to use every bit of his training. But not on one of the Marshals’ most wanted. No, he was going to use it on a fourteen-year-old.
Because it might be the only way to get through to her.
“I’ve already told you all of that. We weren’t vaping. We pulled the alarm. There’s nothing else to add.” She bit her bottom lip.
“You know you’ll get into more trouble if you keep lying. Just tell the truth and get it over with.” Could she not see that she was only making this worse for herself later?
