“That wasn’t there,” she whispered in terror.

Arthur turned slowly. “What?”

Mrs. Gordon’s face had gone white as a sheet. “That rabbit—it wasn’t on the pillow when I locked this room.”

Maya felt cold spread through her body as Arthur stepped closer to the bed and picked up the toy. A folded piece of paper was tied around its neck with a pink ribbon.

His fingers stiffened.

“Esther couldn’t write,” he said, his voice trembling.