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She paused at the open door to roo metal desk in a broalled office Three cups of obviously cold coffee stood in a precise line along the upper right edge of the desk At her entrance, he looked up “Can I help you?”

“I’m Dr Madelaine Hillyard Lina’s mother”

He nodded and flicked through the stack of files on his desk, gingerly pulling one out Indicating a chair, he flipped the file open “Please sit, Dr Hillyard”

Madelaine crossed to the small, e

After a ave her a shter’s a real spitfire”

“Yes”

“The store detective at Save some makeup Nailed her on the in-store video, too Do you want to see it?”

Madelaine wished she needed to, but she knew Lina had done this—and she knehy It was Lina’s way of getting back at a mother ouldn’t make a phone call

“No”

“Good Some parents just can’t believe their precious children would do anything wrong” He shoved back from the desk and stood up “Here’s the deal It’s a first offense and the store is willing to overlook what she’s done”

Madelaine aled with relief But before she could revel in the feeling, Spencer went on, “Course, that won’t do jack shit—pardon hter She needs to face the consequences of her actions”

He looked right at Madelaine “She’s scared—they all are the first time—but from now on, it’s up to you”

She wanted to ask what to do, to ask for help, but she didn’t kno The words tangled in her throat She’d read dozens of books on parenting, and all of thehter choices and teach her to ood advice, Madelaine kneas, but it didn’t work, not for her and Lina anyway And the only other way she kneas her father’s way

“I’ve worked here a long tihter’s on the brink of real trouble” Spencer moved closer and sat in the chair beside her “This is a cry for attention And the next crytroubled teens—”

Madelaine gasped and broke eye contact, staring at the hands clasped in her lap Suicide A chill spread through her