I could see how badly she wanted those answers to be simpler.

If Mia had named an exact cause, perhaps she could arrange the morning around that cause.

If the child had said nothing about Derek, perhaps she could return to the ordinary explanation.

The call had done neither.

It had given adults work to do.

The hospital and county staff asked her about the practical arrangements at home, including who had access and who cared for Mia during shifts.

The detective began obtaining the records needed for the separate investigation.