Only the father remained.
Rage crashed through me so violently my knees nearly gave out.
Then instinct took over.
I bounded up the steps. “Lily,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “Daddy’s here.”
Her eyelids fluttered open weakly. She tried to speak but only a dry whisper escaped.
Her skin was burning hot.
The chain was so tight it restricted her breathing.
I followed the chain to the porch column.
A brand-new brass padlock.
Someone had done this intentionally.
Then a voice spoke behind me—bright, cheerful, and horribly out of place.
“Well, it is a violation.”
I turned.
Linda Carter stood beside Elena’s roses, holding a clipboard like a trophy. Perfect hair. Crisp white pantsuit. A plastic smile glued to her face.
She pointed toward the small blue slide sitting in our front yard.
“Section nine, subsection C,” she said matter-of-factly. “Play equipment must be located in the backyard and hidden from street view. You’ve received three written notices, Daniel.”
My brain struggled to process her words while my daughter struggled to breathe.
I looked back at Lily.
Her monitor kept flashing red.
She was running out of time.
I turned back to Linda.
“Did you do this?” I asked quietly.
Linda shrugged.