Chapter 5 — The Warrant

At seven the next morning, two police cars and a local news van were parked outside Bruce’s gate.

My daughters had barely slept — their first night in clean beds, in a quiet room, and they’d lain awake anyway, unused to the safety of it.

Holly was still clutching a soft blanket Bruce had found for her when the knock came at the front door.

“We have a warrant,” the officer said through the door. “Grand theft, fraud, and child abduction. Ms. Shields reports you have no stable home and no means to support these children.”

“They’re my daughters,” I said, and heard my own voice shake. “They’re mine. I have never stolen a penny in my life.”

Bruce was already on the phone.