“Stop saying that like it proves Daniel did something.”
“What else could it prove?”
I had no answer.
Across the hall, Daniel sat behind a glass partition while a detective questioned him. His hands rested flat on the table. He looked toward me once, but I looked away.
That single act broke something in his face.
The door to Sophie’s room opened forty minutes later. Marissa invited us back inside, but Eric was told to wait.
Sophie was curled beneath a hospital blanket.
“What did she say?” I asked.
Marissa’s expression remained neutral.
“Sophie has consistently stated that no one has touched or frightened her. She explained why Daniel sometimes checks on her at night.”
“Then he can come back?”
“Not yet. The medical team still needs to determine why her test is positive.”
Eric heard through the open door.
“Children protect people they’re afraid of.”
