“This is Officer Wyatt,” Gina explained. “Someone called 911.”
Brian looked surprised. “Is Nora okay?”
Daniel studied him carefully.
“You’ve been giving her treatment?” Daniel asked.
“Holistic support,” Brian corrected with a smile. “Natural vitamin therapy. Nothing invasive.”
From the hallway, Nora’s soft voice floated out:
“Do I need another shot today?”
Daniel’s eyes snapped toward the sound.
“Just vitamins,” Brian called back gently. “Remember what I tell you?”
Nora nodded slowly.
“It only hurts the first time.”
That was enough.
Daniel stepped outside and made a call.
“Margaret, I need you,” he said.
Margaret Pierce, a retired child welfare advocate with 30 years of experience, arrived within 20 minutes.
She spoke softly with Nora in her bedroom.
“Why do you have bandages, sweetheart?” Margaret asked.
“For my medicine,” Nora said quietly. “Mr. Brian says it helps me get better.”
“Does it hurt?”
Nora looked down at her teddy bear.
“Only the first time.”
Margaret’s expression changed.
When she returned to the living room, her voice was calm but firm.
“Gina, we need to take Nora to the hospital. Now.”
Brian stepped forward quickly. “That’s not necessary. I have something that will reduce her fever.”