Officer Bell went back into the narrow hallway, stepping around the broken plastic toys scattered along the floorboards.

He lifted his flashlight again, aiming the hard white beam right at the linen closet door.

Officer Bell shone his flashlight on the gleaming brass padlock in the dark hallway.

The paramedic squeezed the cuff twice and watched the gauge.

Lily sat bolt upright on the couch with her bear under her chin and her eyes locked on me, the way she used to stare at a candle on the kitchen table.

“One more big breath, sweet pea,” the paramedic said.