Ellen ignored John's incessant complaints about her close relationship with James and continued to spoil and love the boy fiercely even as he got older. James returned her love in spades despite having to learn to be a bit of sneak about it due to his father.

But still until that day in her bedroom the thought never crossed her mind of just how special, how close, or how very, very loving her relationship could become with her young son. Of how he was the perfect answer to her prayers of vengeance.

It was a warm early June afternoon in Coronado. Ellen was working the swing shift that day four...