As the first gray light of morning crept through the blinds, my phone buzzed violently on the counter. The caller ID flashed an unknown number. My stomach lurched into my throat.
Has he found us?
Chapter 5: The Name Spoken Aloud
I ignored the call. It didn’t matter. Within two hours, we were walking through the heavy glass doors of the county child protection center.
The facility was designed to be disarming—soft yellow walls, plush armchairs, and shelves lined with brightly colored stuffed animals. But to me, it felt like the antechamber to hell. This was where innocence went to be officially cataloged as destroyed.
A plainclothes officer, Detective Morris, introduced himself. He had a weathered face but kind, perceptive eyes. Hailey was gently escorted into a private interviewing suite equipped with recording devices. I was left in a small waiting area with Amanda, clutching a lukewarm cup of cheap coffee I couldn’t stomach.
