Tears flooded my eyes. “Then why wasn’t she admitted? Why didn’t anyone call me?” Alicia sounded shaken. “Because… he left before we could register her. He looked terrified. And then…”
“And then what?” I whispered. Alicia swallowed. “A man in a dark jacket came in right after. He spoke to Daniel privately. I couldn’t hear everything, but Daniel kept shaking his head.” My stomach twisted. “And Emily?”
“She was barely conscious,” Alicia said softly. “We thought she was dehydrated, maybe food poisoning. But before we could treat her, Daniel picked her up again and rushed out.” I nearly collapsed. “He took her away?”
“Yes. And that’s not all.” Alicia’s voice trembled. “The man… handed Daniel something. A syringe case.” My blood ran cold. “What?”
“I know how it sounds,” she whispered. “But I saw it. Daniel looked like he was being threatened.” I couldn’t breathe.
Detective Hale arrived at my house within an hour after I told him. “This changes everything,” he said sharply. Hospital security footage confirmed Alicia’s story. Daniel had been there. Emily had been alive. Then someone forced them back into the night.
The police traced the other vehicle from Harbor Point. It belonged to someone I never expected. Daniel’s older brother. Ryan Carter. When Detective Hale said the name, I felt like the air left my lungs. “Ryan?” I whispered. “But… he loved Emily.”
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