Page 39 of Into the Fire

Phoenix PD was seriously understaffed. “What happened? What kind of report?”

“Sophia’s brother Henry pushed her down and broke a plate. I know that sounds unexciting, and I would never have called the police, but Sophia told me some things that have me concerned.”

“What did she say?” I pushed when Evelyn didn’t immediately tell me.

“Henry stated that Javier killed a man. That’s why I called the police. Henry has changed. When Sophia first came here, he was kind, he helped in the yard, he was a sweet boy. But now? He’s angry and I’m scared about what he might do.”

“I believe Henry and Javier were responsible for a series of robberies in the area. Do you have any yearbooks from Sophia’s middle school?”

“I have some old yearbooks from previous girls who left them behind. Some don’t like to remember their time in foster care.”

“What about from the high school?”

“I think Ana has one from last year. I’ll find it. Please wait here.”

I stood in the entry. Sophia came in from the kitchen. She had been crying, her face pale and splotchy. “Henry doesn’t care that Sergio is in jail. He says we abandoned him.”

“Why did you leave the other foster home?”

She didn’t say anything for a minute.

“Javier?”

She nodded.

“Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head. “He—he made me very uncomfortable. He would come into my bedroom and watch me sleep.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

“I couldn’t. He’s not in foster care. Ms. Oliver—Javier’s her son. I told her Javier was in my room, but she didn’t care. Said I must have invited him in.”

I remembered the man I saw on the porch. “What about his father?”

She shook her head. “I’ve never met him. Ms. Oliver’s father lives with her. He’s on disability.”

“She could have had her license revoked if her son sexually harassed you.”

Her face reddened. “It would have been very awkward. And he didn’t hurt me, didn’t try to—you know. I told my counselor that I was uncomfortable being the only girl. There were four teenage boys and me. I wanted to go someplace with Henry, thinking it would be just for a while, until Sergio could take us, but there was a bed available here and I was lucky to get it. I really like Mrs. Edgar and the other girls.”

“Did Henry tell you that Javier killed a man?”

She sucked in her breath, tears returning to her eyes. Her statement would be hearsay, but it might prompt a police investigation.

“I don’t want Henry to get in trouble,” she said.

“Sergio took the blame. He pled guilty. He’s in trouble.”

“For Henry.”

“For you.” Maybe part of it was his little brother, but after talking to Sergio today, I was confident it was primarily Sophia he was protecting.

“Have you talked to Sergio?” Sophia asked.

“Yes. He’s worried about your safety. He’s not going to recant unless he knows you’re safe and Javier can’t get to you.”

“Me?” But the look on her face told me she knew something about this.

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