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I locked the door behind him and sank onto the couch. What happened at that party? And how did an eight-year-old boy know to warn me? The doorbell rang again. This time, it was the police.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Bell,\u201d the officer said, his face calm but his eyes sharp. \u201cThere was an incident at your son\u2019s residence. We understand you were present.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI left about thirty minutes before whatever happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
They exchanged a look. \u201cDo you mind telling us why you left?\u201d<\/p>\n
I hesitated. \u201cMy grandson asked me to leave. He looked scared.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid he say why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. He just said I had to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
The male officer scribbled in his notepad. \u201cAnd you\u2019ve heard nothing since?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe messaged me,\u201d I said, my voice barely a whisper. \u201cHe said not to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n
That made them both go still. \u201cCan we see the message?\u201d the female officer asked. I showed them my phone. \u201cMa\u2019am,\u201d the male officer said, his voice grave, \u201cyou were very lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was an altercation at the party,\u201d the female officer said gently. \u201cSomeone laced several of the drinks. We believe it was targeted, premeditated.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n