My hands shook so badly the paper rattled.
Oliver watched me. “Is Mom in trouble?”
I wanted to shield him from the truth, but children always know when adults lie.
“I think she was trying to keep you safe,” I said.
His eyes filled. “Is she coming?”
“I don’t know yet.”
The honest answer hurt, but not as much as a false promise would have.
I called Detective Reed from the hallway while Maribel stayed with Oliver. He answered on the second ring, alert despite the hour.
When I said Rachel’s name, he went quiet. “Where’s the boy?”
“At St. Agnes.”
“Do not let anyone take him. Especially not a man claiming to be his father.”
My blood went cold. “Is Mark his father?”
“Biologically, yes. Legally, it’s complicated. Rachel filed a report last week. She said she had evidence of stalking and threats, but she missed our follow-up meeting tonight.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“We’re looking.”
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