“But it will take time,” I said.

“They are going inside the shop right now.”

Through the window, I saw the man in the overcoat push past Mrs. Gable.

The door of the bookstore swung open.

The little brass bell above the door must have rung, though I couldn’t hear it.

“I’m going,” I said.

I opened the car door and stepped out into the cold rain.

The drops hit my face like needles.

“Elena!” Dominic called after me.

I didn’t stop.

I ran down the wet sidewalk, my boots splashing in the puddles.

The wind caught my hair, dragging it across my face.

I could hear Dominic’s footsteps behind me, heavy and fast on the concrete.

“Ma’am, step back,” a police officer said as I reached the yellow tape.

He put his hand on his utility belt.

“My daughter is inside,” I said, my voice shaking.

“This is a private business.”

“We are executing a court order, ma’am,” the officer said.

He didn’t look at me.

He looked past me, his eyes widening.

Dominic had caught up.

He stood beside me, his chest rising and falling.