I looked straight at the officers, keeping my arm wrapped firmly around Noah’s trembling shoulders.

“Did someone hurt Autumn Miller yesterday?”

Officer Morgan stepped forward onto the welcome mat, her voice gentle but firm.

“Autumn was transported to Valley Memorial Urgent Care yesterday afternoon, ma’am, and your son’s name is central to the incident report.”

Hearing that the sweet girl had been taken to an urgent care clinic made my stomach heave with nausea.

“Please tell me what happened, Noah,” I urged, turning to look directly into his tear-stained face.

Officer Reynolds opened a small leather notebook and clicked his ballpoint pen.