It contained no accusations, just her interests: strawberry swirl, spelling lists, yellow, animals needing safe homes, stories about explorers, and a fear of arriving late.

The page felt small beside the investigative files.

It was also the first page that made me feel I was becoming the grandfather she needed.

PART 7

Three days before Emma’s birthday, Detective Alvarez called.

She asked me to meet her at the station with Miriam.

There had been developments, she said, and arrangements concerning Emma might need to be made quickly.

At the conference table she placed a photograph in front of me.