At the county clinic, the doctor confirmed that Mrs. Helen had hypothermia, severe dehydration, a cracked rib, and bruises down both legs.

“She didn’t fall in there today,” he said grimly. “She’s been down there at least three days.”

Daniel stepped into the hallway, his clothes still caked with mud, and called Laura.

“Where’s Mom?”

“At home, asleep,” she answered without missing a beat.

Daniel stared at the emergency room doors and set his jaw.

“That’s strange, because I just pulled her out of a pit, and she was nearly dead.”

There were no screams on the other end.

No explanations.

Just a silence so long that Daniel understood the worst part was still coming.

Laura took several seconds before she spoke.

When she finally did, her voice shook.

“Daniel, I swear I didn’t know she was there.”

“Then tell me where you thought she was.”

She started to cry.

She said Brian had taken Mrs. Helen back to Maple Ridge because the old woman insisted on sleeping in her own house. According to him, he’d dropped her near the bus station.

“And for three days, it never once crossed your mind to call her?” Daniel asked.