“Do not approach her.”
“I’m her father.”
“Do not approach her.”
Thomas stopped.
For the first time since opening the front door, he did not have a response ready.
At 9:21 p.m., Claire heard Daniel request that the medical team come forward.
She could also hear Emily somewhere farther from the phone, though the words were indistinct now.
Claire had spent the call imagining a child crouched somewhere with a snake nearby.
The danger had been listening for her.
The danger could open doors.
The danger could tell her to keep secrets.
The danger could smile at police and call the emergency a mistake.
Claire removed her headset for half a second, pressed her thumb against the bridge of her nose, then put it back on.
The call was still active.
