Chapter 19

“I’m afraid I don’t follow you,” I said, a bit thrown. “What’s this about?”

“Mr. Cantrell, there is some concern about your son, Noah. Noah lives with you, right?”

“Well, yes.”

“We’ve received a report that there may be something going on in the home. Of course, whenever we receive a report, we are required to investigate, and the first step in that process is to arrange a time when we can sit down and talk together and conduct a home visit. Would you be free tomorrow?”

“Conduct a home visit?” I said, incredulous.

“Yes, Mr. Cantrell.”

She fell silent, waiting for me to catch up.

“Conduct a home visit?” I said again after a long pause. “As in, you’re investigating me for child abuse?”

“We are required by law to respond to any report we might receive,” she explained.

“What kind of report are you talking about?”

“I can explain more fully when I see you. Would tomorrow be all right? I can come by at noon, and we can get all of this cleared up.”