“Logistics officer, United States Army,” I said.

“This is my daughter, Lily.

She’s been alone in this house with no water and no supervision since Tuesday morning.”

The lead paramedic knelt beside me on the hall runner and pressed his stethoscope to Lily’s chest.

“Lungs are clear, but her heart rate is one-forty.

Mucous membranes are completely dry.

Let’s get her into the rig for an IV bolus right now.”

Officer Marcus took a silver ballpoint pen from his breast pocket and clicked it three times against the edge of his notepad.