His feet went into equally battered sneakers. He didn’t bother to tie the laces. He galloped through the house and ran smack into his mother in the kitchen. Startled, she backed up and stared at her son. “Do you know what time it is? Where are you going at this hour of the morning, Alex? Is something wrong?” she asked anxiously. “Miss Dancer called me and said that the court terminated Jake’s probation at the foundation, and he had to leave the premises. With his father. She seemed very upset. She wants me to see the court papers. I guess she couldn’t sleep and decided to call me. I don’t know, Mom, but that’s why I’m going there.” “I guess that makes sense. Call me if there’s anything I can do.” “I will, Mom.” Alex gave his mother a bone-crushing hug and ran out to his car. With no traffic on the road, Alex arrived at the Dancer home in twenty-three minutes. Lights outside and on the first floor blazed in the darkness. He drove around to the back of the property, near the rear entrance, and parked his car.
