For the first time, I understood the full weight of Hannah’s uncertainty downstairs.

She had not merely been trying to get through a frightening morning.

She had been trying to prevent her daughters from disappearing beyond her reach.

She had heard that threat before the rest of us could see the bags.

There were questions about money, identity documents, property arrangements, and what Derek had told people during the move.

Those questions belonged to the investigation.

I did not invent a network of helpers because more than one question remained unanswered.