Ronald said.
His voice did not shake.
“Not while I’m breathing.”
Blackwood Ridge had spent years teaching people what happened when they challenged the Higgins family.
Ellis Higgins owned the lumber mill that employed hundreds of local workers.
His finance company held mortgages on homes throughout town.
His radio station could turn an accusation into gossip by breakfast and make the gossip disappear by lunch.
Police Chief Gordon May attended Sunday dinner at the Higgins estate.
Local officials accepted favors, invitations, campaign support, and the quiet understanding that cooperation would be remembered.
Dahlia had grown up inside that system.
During their marriage, Ronald had mistaken the Higgins family’s constant presence for loyalty.
They had keys to the house.
They knew the alarm code.
They offered advice about money, parenting, holidays, and custody until advice became instruction and instruction became control.
After the divorce, Ronald secured joint custody of Anna.
The
