“I think so,” I said. “I just need to get back to my shift.”

Before he could reply, we heard a small gasp from the end of the hall.

A little girl with wild, dark curls was standing there.

She was holding a stuffed toy dog with one ear.

“Daddy!” she called out.

It was Chloe.

She ran down the hall, her small shoes squeaking against the polished floor.

Daniel immediately knelt down.

He caught her in his arms, lifting her off her feet.

“Hey, sweetie,” he said, his voice instantly soft.

“I thought you were waiting with Nurse Sarah at the desk.”

“I wanted to find you,” Chloe said, burying her face in his neck.

Then she looked at me.

Her eyes went wide.

“You’re the nice lady,” she said.

“Hello, Chloe,” I said, smiling despite the cold dread still lingering in my stomach.

“Is your toy feeling better today?”

“Barnaby has a bandage on his ear,” she said, holding up the stuffed dog.

“You put it on him last week.”

“I remember,” I said. “He was very brave.”

Daniel stood up, holding Chloe against his hip.