Everyone looked at me.
Mrs. Bell frowned.
“You asked him to stand there?”
“Yes.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because a black sedan was watching Kinsley’s house.”
Aaron’s head snapped toward me.
“What?”
I looked at him.
And there it was.
The moment I had dreaded.
The moment a father learns his child was in danger and also learns nobody told him until a room full of strangers was watching his reaction.
I spoke carefully.
“Yesterday, before drop-off, I saw a public video Kinsley posted. It showed her porch, her house number, and the street sign. The caption said she was home alone until 8 PM.”
Aaron’s face changed.
Anger.
Fear.
Embarrassment.
All of it at once.
“She posted what?”
Mrs. Bell lowered her phone a little.
I continued.
“When I dropped her off, a black sedan was idling two doors down. The driver appeared to be watching the house. Kinsley didn’t notice. I didn’t feel safe leaving her. I saw Silas nearby and asked for help.”
