“Please, arrest me. I’d rather go to jail than go back to that house…”

authority. He weaponized his social standing in a microsecond, playing the role of the desperate, terrified patriarch with chilling perfection.

The police officer stepped heavily forward, his jaw set in a tight, uncompromising line. His hand moved instinctively to his belt, unbuttoning the leather pouch that held his handcuffs.

“Ma’am, I need you to continue reading …