She said nothing. Only clutched the baby tighter. Her lips were cracked. Her body trembled—not just from the cold.
Protocol told him to call child services and file the report. But staring at those two children, paperwork felt obscene.
He made a choice.
One that could cost him everything.
“Come with me,” he said carefully. “I won’t hurt you. I just want to help.”
She studied him, searching for danger. The baby whimpered. Daniel knelt so he wouldn’t tower over her.
“My name’s Daniel. I’m a police officer. But right now, I’m just someone who wants to help. Are you hungry?”
Her stomach answered for her with a small growl.
He extended his hand. “I know a safe place. There’s warm food.”
After a long pause, she stepped forward and placed her cold hand in his.
“What’s your name?” he asked once they were inside the patrol car.
“Ava,” she whispered.
“And your brother?”
“Noah.”
“Ava and Noah,” he repeated softly.
Instead of heading to the precinct, Daniel turned toward home. His heart pounded as he drove. What was he going to tell his superiors? There was no justification that would survive scrutiny.
But he couldn’t leave them.
His wife, Laura Hayes, would have to understand.