My daughter called me in tears and said, “Dad, please come pick me up.” When I got to her in-laws’ house…

Robert folded his arms. “That tragedy affected her mental state.”

But Emily shook her head violently.

“No,” she whispered. “That’s not why.”

Linda suddenly stepped toward us. “You’ve upset her enough.”

I moved instinctively, blocking her path.

And that was when I smelled it.

Not perfume.

Not coffee.

Bleach.

Strong enough to cut through the stale air of the house.