"Son you have just swung to the very opposite end of the spectrum here," Goodnight said, proud of himself for not sounding weary. "Let people help you with your problems, Neil. If you had let us, this might not have gone quite so far. So yes, you made some short-sighted decisions, but stop acting like you're drowning and no one has thrown you a rope."

Because they had. He and Billy had offered several times to speak with someone as guardians, even if they weren't quite legally so on any paperwork. Goodnight was good at talking, and most people wouldn't question a man wearing a police uniform, he'd learned.

"We're still here to help you, Neil, whenever you're ready to let us."