I admitted that I had considered taking Emma home without telling Mark.

“I’m glad you told me that,” Miriam answered.

“Please don’t improvise with her safety.

Call me, call the appropriate agency, or call emergency services if there’s an immediate threat.

We’ll work within the law.”

That afternoon Ray accompanied me to make a report.

I handed over my photos and the timeline, identified the cottage, and repeated Emma’s exact words.

A detective named Alvarez listened carefully.