But Emma’s anxious eyes made all of that feel meaningless.
“Just three days, Em. You’ll be with Mom and Grandma Helen. You always say you like spending time with her.”
For a split second, pure fear crossed Emma’s face. It disappeared quickly—but Daniel caught it.
He set the mug down and knelt beside her.
“Hey… what’s wrong?”
Emma glanced toward the hallway, like someone might be listening, then leaned in close.
“When you leave… Grandma Helen takes me somewhere. She says it’s our special secret. And I’m not allowed to tell you or Mom.”
A cold wave rushed through him. Years spent documenting abuse and hidden crimes had taught him exactly what that tone meant.
“Where does she take you?” he asked carefully.
“I don’t know the name. It’s a tall house… with a blue door. Sometimes there are other kids. And the adults make us do things.”
His heart slammed in his chest.
“What kind of things?”
Emma’s voice cracked.
“They take pictures of us… make us wear weird clothes… smile… touch each other…”
She broke down, burying her face in his shirt.
Daniel held her tightly, every alarm in his mind screaming.