Helen stood, needing to move. “Three years ago,” she said. “A stalking complaint. A man named O Marsh.” He didn’t flinch. “My wife’s former husband—,” he said. “He filed it during a custody dispute as a way of applying pressure. It was investigated and closed without charges. We have the full documentation.” Helen nodded, then sighed.
“Do you have a family?” Helen asked. She wasn’t sure why she needed this before anything else—some instinct to understand the full shape of the man before she could understand his story. Owen nodded. “My wife, Sarah. My children—Felix is six, and Rosa is four.” He showed two small faces on his phone screen. A gap-toothed boy. A girl clutching a cat.