I slipped the note into a clear plastic sleeve from my father’s office. “Today.”

Chapter 8 — The Report

The family advocacy center was inside a tan office building near the county courthouse. A counselor recorded our statement in a private room decorated with children’s drawings and a shelf of stuffed animals.

She asked for facts. What time had my parents left? How long had Mia been unattended? What food and contact information had been provided? Had any adult actually agreed to check on her?

I answered carefully. “They planned to return after six nights.”

The counselor stopped writing. “Six nights?”

“Yes.”