Investigators would seek evidence without asking my daughter to repeat the story to every adult who entered her room.

“I need to be in there when she talks,” I insisted.

“We will explain each step to you,” Denise replied.

“But there may be moments when we need to hear from Maya without another adult guiding her answers.

It protects her, and it protects the truth.”

The word protect sounded unfamiliar after the day we had endured.

I almost argued.

Instead, I asked what Maya would need from me.