After Dad and Cass passed out bowls of stew, more mugs of hot chocolate, and nose pinches to everyone, Cass turned on some Christmas music on her phone. It was low enough that the detective could still concentrate but loud enough to warm my soul a little. I loved Christmas, and even though it wasn't technically that time of year yet, it sure looked like it outside.

To help calm my nerves and give my hands something to do, I lugged out my boxed Christmas tree from the living room ...