"I reckon she's not just mean. She's evil." Whoever that was, whoever had done this to these kids. Barty held Gideon against himself securely and then made his way down the ladder, making sure he wouldn't drop him. "It's not a policeman, but we will tell the police. But I will handle that. The police will know that you are a good boy and that your sister is a good girl."

And not sinful, evil or anything else. Damn. He let go of Gideon as they reached the ground, then grabbed a hold of the ladder. "I'll put that away and then we leave together. I have some water for you in the car."