The only author to win the Shamus, Nero, and Lefty AwardsDisaster, Melanie Barrick was once told, is always closer than you know. It was a lesson she learned the hard way growing up in foster care. But now that she's survived into adulthood -- with a loving husband, a steady job, and a beautiful baby boy named Alex -- she thought that turmoil was behind her. Until she goes to pick up Alex from childcare and discovers he's been removed by Social Services. And no one will say why.