“Daniel has never harmed her.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
Eric laughed without humor.
“Did you know he goes into her bedroom at night?”
My stomach dropped.
“How did you know that?”
“Sophie told me last weekend.”
He saw my expression and moved closer.
“You didn’t know, did you?”
I did know.
Three weeks earlier, I had awakened at four in the morning and found Daniel sitting on the floor outside Sophie’s open door. She had another headache and was afraid to sleep. He had brought her water, placed a cold washcloth over her forehead, and stayed where she could see him.
I had thought it was kindness.
Now Eric was turning it into evidence.
“She’s been waking up sick,” I said. “He checks on her.”
“A ten-year-old girl has pregnancy hormone in her blood, Rachel.”
“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.”
Sophie sat up.
“I’m not afraid of Daniel!”
Eric stepped inside before security could stop him.
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“You’re making everything worse!”
He froze.
Sophie pointed toward the hallway.
“Daniel believed me. You didn’t even ask.”
Eric’s face hardened, but I saw hurt beneath the anger.
Dr. Ortiz returned before he could answer.
“The ultrasound department is preparing a room,” she said. “Sophie needs a full bladder for the scan, so we’re giving her fluids.”
Eric turned toward her.
“How far along is she?”
“We don’t know that she is pregnant.”
