He stepped down the porch stairs, holding the papers out.

Julian did not reach for them.

“What is this?” Julian asked.

“It is a court order signed by a judge two hours ago,” Vance said.

He thrust the papers against Julian’s chest until Julian was forced to take them.

“You are required to stay at least five hundred feet away from Elena Carter and Harrison Blackwood,” Vance said.

“This is ridiculous,” Julian said, his voice rising an octave. “She took my kid. She stole him.”

“Any custody disputes will be handled in family court,” Vance said. “Right now, you need to get back in your vehicle.”

Julian looked down at the paperwork in his hand.

Even through the low-resolution camera, I could see his knuckles turning white.

He ripped the top page slightly as his thumb tightened on the paper.

“She planned this,” Julian muttered.

“Step back, sir,” Vance repeated.

“She’s in Maine,” Julian said suddenly, looking up at the sky as if trying to calculate the distance. “Or her sister’s place in Boston.”

“I don’t know where she is, Mr. Blackwood,” Vance said. “And if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”