“He tells her the police take children away forever. He tells her doctors use needles on children who misbehave. If she hears him calling her, she’ll think she has to listen.”

Daniel glanced toward the paramedics.

“I’ll warn them.”

Before he could get up, a loudspeaker sounded from somewhere near Building Two.

“Victor Hale, come outside with your hands visible.”

Several seconds passed before an answer came.

A man’s voice echoed through the concrete corridor.

“Ethan!”

The boy’s face went pale.

“Ethan, you know what happens when you lie!”

Daniel immediately closed the cruiser door.

“Stay inside.”

Hale called out again.

“Your sister wants you!”

Ethan covered both ears.

“She doesn’t,” I told him.

He shut his eyes tightly.

“He always tells me that.”

I moved closer beside him.

“Then you already know it isn’t true.”