Later, in Ruth’s office, I read the full handwritten letter Taylor had provided through counsel.

Relevant concerns had already been disclosed; the letter gave her fuller account in her own words.

There were four dated pages.

One described finding Lily in a pantry after Evelyn put her there as a punishment.

Taylor estimated several minutes.

Another described the way Evelyn called it discipline and Taylor’s belief that she could stop matters from going further without telling me.

The last page contained a sentence I read twice.