If abuse had occurred, Sophia needed:

A medical evaluation.

A trained forensic interview.

Child-welfare professionals.

Law enforcement.

A court if emergency restrictions became necessary.

She did not need her uncle transforming her disclosure into an amateur investigation that could contaminate statements or place her in greater danger.

That distinction may have been the most important decision I made.

PART 6 — THE KNOCK

At 8:17 p.m., the doorbell rang.