Dustin noticed the change in my face. His smile was gone.
« What? » he demanded.
I slipped the phone into my pocket.
« Your biggest mistake wasn’t underestimating me. »
One of the four heavyweights around me moved, looking uneasy.
« Your biggest mistake was believing that my daughter would remain frightened forever. »
Dustin glanced at Cal. And then something happened that I wasn’t expecting.
Cal took a step back.
« Dustin, » he said softly, « what exactly did you do? »
Dustin’s jaw tightened.
» Shut up. «
Cal fixed it.
» No. «
That single word changed the room. His voice had lost all its amusement.
« You told me she had fallen. »
Dustin laughed, but without humor.
« What difference does it make? »
Cal’s eyes narrowed.
» A lot. «
« Are you getting soft now? »
« I asked you what happened. »
Dustin raised his chin.
« She refused to listen. »
Nobody moved. The music continued. A bass line pulsed through the room like a heartbeat.
