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“Did you never pick up on any vibes between them before?”

I ready the next arrow. “I guess I didn’t think about it because she’s been married all these years, but she divorced her husband six months ago.”

“What if she isn’t ready?” Lexie asks from the outdoor chair she’s sinking into, a wool blanket covering her legs. The cold afternoon has us both hiding under oversize sweaters. “When they canceled my favorite show after just two seasons, it took me years to get over it.”

“That is not at all the same thing.”

“My question is still relevant.”

I press the arrow against my cheek as I adjust its position on the bow. “I have some time. It won’t hurt to plant the seed.”

“Wow, all this mischief you’ve been up to recently, who are you?”

“A worried daughter.” My fingers cramp and I drop the bow and arrow for a quick break. “Anyway, how was hiking last night?”

“Fun.” She purses her lips. “I liked the view at the end, but it took us five hours to make it to the top and bottom. Too much downtime, so I’m thinking of joining the cooking club. Ms. Franci says I can shadow this week to see if I like it.”

“How does it feel to be the most beloved student of all time, able to join things past the sign-up date and without meeting prerequisites?”

“A little guilty, since there are others”—she gestures toward me—“who are not so fortunate as I, with my charm and wit, but also it feels great because I get everything I want.”

I toss my arrow at her, my fingers growing too cold to continue without getting blisters. “On that note, let’s go inside.”

I place my bow into the carrying case Lexie stole from the gym one night last year, then leave it beside all my dad’s gardening tools against the house. Lexie goes in first, and Vivi and I follow close behind.

“Oh my God,” Lexie squeals, “they’re shaped like turkeys. Your dad is literally the cutest human to ever exist.” She grabs one of the pieces of puffed-up dough, coated in powdered sugar and stuffed with peanut butter, I assume when Lexie bites into it and cries with pleasure. Dad always makes her favorite things when she visits.

“Did he leave for work already?” Lexie says, mouth filled. “Text him, tell him I love him. Tell him I’m bringing over adoption papers for me. Tell him he better sign them this time.”

I head toward the fridge, read the joke Dad left while we were out back: I used to hate facial hair, but then it grew on me. Another miss, but the worse it is, the more I find it funny. I laugh as I open the fridge and pour Lexie a cup of milk.

She takes it from me before I finish closing the fridge door and downs it. My phone buzzes in my pocket.

A text from a witness, James Ashley—someone Jake, the opposing council, is submitting to be a witness. I asked for his number so we could talk.

“I’ll be back,” I tell Lexie, who is already shoving another treat into her mouth as Vivi hangs below, waiting for any crumbs that may appear.

I head to my desk, prop up my phone against the window, spread papers out in front of me, and drop a journal on top of it all, ready to write everything down. I call James, and he appears on the screen, lying horizontally in bed.

“What’s up?” he answers. “You said this would be quick, right? I have to hop online in a sec; my friends are making a server for our game.”

“Yeah, super quick, thanks for answering,” I say, grabbing a pen. “I’m just trying to get some background stuff. You were at school the afternoon the statue got wrecked, right?”

He nods. “I had detention, then fell asleep in my car waiting for Alex, who had an extended detention. I was in the parking lot most of the time. I didn’t know about the statue until the next day.”

“Gotcha.” I make a note. “Do you remember seeing anyone walking around then?”

“Saw a bunch of the football team leaving. Practice ran late—Theo was there too, walking in the lot with his cousin; Jamie, I think is his name. He looked pissed off.”

“Interesting. Did you hear him say anything about the statue?”

“Not really, no,” James says. “I pulled my window down later, when I saw Theo was a little heated. His cousin was trying to calm him down, pull him toward their car.”

Definitely interesting. Theo swore up and down he didn’t do it, but he’s been placed at the school after hours, the night of the crime, and was pointed out to be pretty pissed during the witness testimonies. Could that be why he’s been tight-lipped about that night? Worried I’ll figure it out?

“Oh, damn, my guys are starting the game early, I’ve got to go.”

“This was great, no worries. Thanks, enjoy your game.”