Chapter 3
Detective Collins moved immediately.
She called officers to my house.
She called a judge for an emergency warrant.
She called hospital security to keep every Hart and Mercer family member away from Lily’s floor.
I stood beside Lily’s bed and felt my life collapse in organized pieces.
Lily cried silently.
That hurt most.
Not loud sobs.
Not panic.
Silent tears from a child who had learned adults listened better when she made less trouble.
I sat on the edge of the bed.
“Lily.”
She looked at me.
“Did Uncle Michael help Grandma Evelyn?”
I could not lie.
“I think so.”
“Why?”
I had no answer that could fit inside an eight-year-old heart.
“I don’t know yet.”
“She said you forgot.”
“I didn’t.”
“I know.”
Two words.
Small.
Certain.
They nearly broke me.
Detective Collins returned.
“Daniel, I need to ask Lily something.”
Lily shrank into the pillow.
I moved closer.
“Only if she feels ready.”
Collins softened her voice.
“Lily, do you remember seeing your uncle today?”
Lily nodded.
“At the luncheon?”
“No. Before.”
“When?”
“At home. He said Dad was busy and he would check my backpack.”
My stomach tightened.
Lily continued.
“He took my green medicine pouch.”
I stood.
“That pouch had her school injector.”
Collins wrote quickly.
“Did he give it back?”
Lily shook her head.
“He said he would put it in Dad’s jacket.”
“Did he?”
“I don’t know.”
A knock came at the door.
An officer stepped in.
“Detective.”
Collins joined him in the hallway.
I heard only pieces.
House searched.
Office drawer open.
Safe disturbed.
Michael gone.
Then she came back in.
“Michael left your house ten minutes before officers arrived.”
My jaw tightened.
“He knew.”
“Yes.”
“What did he take?”
“Files. A laptop. We’re still checking.”
“And the second injector?”
She hesitated.
“Not found.”
Lily whispered, “Dad?”
I turned back to her.
“Yes?”
“Am I going to have to live with Uncle Michael?”
I took her hand with both of mine.
“No.”
“What if a judge says?”
“Then I fight the judge.”
“What if Grandma says?”
“I fight Grandma.”
“What if Uncle Michael lies?”
I looked at Detective Collins.
May you like
Then at my daughter.
“Then we tell the truth louder.”
