Trained investigators were working through records he could not access, while specialists were helping the girls.

He spent a quiet evening reviewing his body-camera video to verify the exact sequence of his own actions.

He saw Nora put the syringe into the envelope.

He saw her look toward the doors when Richard’s SUV arrived.

He heard her voice grow smaller when she asked if they would be sent home.

What he could not see was how long she had waited to ask for help, or how many times she’d nearly changed her mind on the walk to the station.