My son sobbed the entire drive to his grandmother’s house. “Daddy, please don’t leave me here.” My wife snapped, “You’re babying him.” I left him anyway. Three hours later, a neighbor called. “Your little boy ran to my house shaking. He’s hiding under my bed and won’t stop crying.”

“There was no criminal finding against Sue, but the girl’s note—redacted in public records, but described in a family affidavit—mentioned discipline and not being able to survive the house anymore.” Angelo slid over a photocopy of court documents. “Second husband divorced her after five years. He alleged psychological cruelty and got sole custody of their son. That son has not spoken to her in over thirty years.”

William flipped pages with hands that gradually lost sensation.

“And Marsha?” he asked.

Angelo nodded grimly. “At fourteen, she was placed briefly in foster care after Sue petitioned for temporary surrender, citing behavioral issues and inability to control her. The foster family I tracked down said Marsha arrived hypervigilant, hoarded food, and once slept in a closet because it felt safer. Two months later Sue reclaimed her.”