I handed her the messages and the dates I’d assembled.

She read silently, then asked, “Did you know Brenda was sending photographs of Hailey to anyone?”

“I didn’t even know she had taken this one.”

“Check any accounts you legitimately have access to.

Don’t guess passwords or enter her private accounts.

But think about whether she’s posted images publicly.”

That evening Rachel found a public social-media profile under Brenda’s name.

It was full of photographs of carefully arranged rooms, tables set for holidays, and captions about the rewards of being a stepmother.