Chapter 9There was an empty police car parked like a sleeping bloodhound in front of Alice’s house. She’d left the front door open, with just the screen closed to keep the bugs out, and she came stalking down the narrow hallway as soon as Gabe climbed the stairs to the front porch. “Great, you’re here.” Her eyes widened when she got a look at his face, and she put her hand over her mouth, her expression some complex mix of misery and anger. “Oh my God. Oh, Gabe. I’m so sorry.” She took a deep breath, obviously composing herself, then grabbed his wrist and all but dragged him behind her to the kitchen. Gabe’s nose was instantly blocked and itching with cigarette smoke, but he couldn’t tell if it came from the porch or her clothing.
There was a police officer sitting at the table, a plate w
