Chapter 2 — The Question That Broke the Family
The police officer didn't raise his voice.
He simply looked from Lily's pale face to the untouched birthday decorations inside the house.
Then he asked,
"Who was the last person to see this child alive?"
Silence.
Emily's mother lowered her eyes.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
Their father folded his newspaper with irritating calm.
"No one knows," he answered.
Marcus stepped forward.
"That's a lie."
He held up his phone.
"The entire 911 call has been recording since we found her."
The officer nodded before turning toward another deputy.
"Separate everyone."
Within seconds, the front yard became a crime scene.
Yellow tape stretched across the driveway.
Guests arriving for the engagement party were stopped outside the gate, forced to watch police officers carrying evidence bags into the house.
Emily refused to release Lily's tiny hand while paramedics worked desperately inside the ambulance.
One medic suddenly frowned.
"There's something under her fingernails."
Tiny strands of bright pink fabric.
The same glitter-covered material as Emma's birthday dress.
Emily stared toward Vanessa.
Vanessa immediately shook her head.
"Kids play together."
But Emma wasn't looking at anyone.
The little girl kept crying while staring at the dumpster.
Finally the female officer crouched beside her.
"Sweetheart..."
Emma whispered through tears.
"Grandma said Lily had to disappear."
Every conversation stopped.
Vanessa's coffee slipped from her hand and shattered across the porch.
Emily's mother turned completely white.
Before anyone could interrupt, Emma continued.
"They said Lily wasn't supposed to wake up before the party."
The officers exchanged silent looks.
One detective quietly reached for his radio.
"I need Child Protective Services and Major Crimes responding immediately."
Marcus slowly wrapped an arm around Emily.
Neither of them spoke.
May you like
Because they both understood...
This had never been an accident.
