The bolt was pushed hard into the strike plate, locking the closet shut from the bedroom side.

María brought her flashlight to within two inches of the metal catch.

Caught in the thin gap between the iron bolt and the doorjamb was a little scrap of pink cotton knit, ripped ragged along one edge.

It matched the pattern on the pajamas Emily had been wearing on the stairs.

María took a small plastic evidence bag from the pocket of her tactical vest, but she left the thread untouched.

She stepped back out onto the landing where Daniel stood over Thomas.