I reached for Lily’s small red coat from the chair where we had draped it earlier.

She let me slip her arms into the sleeves, but her body was stiff.

Owen clutched his teddy bear to his chest so hard the seams looked ready to burst.

“Is the mean lady there?” Lily whispered.

It was the first time she had spoken in hours.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

“No, sweetheart,” I said, kissing the top of her cold forehead. “She will never get near you again.”

Marco’s radio clicked on his shoulder.

A muffled voice from the front gatehouse broke the silence of the room.

“Sir, we have two squad cars approaching the main entrance,” the guard said. “They have their lights off.”

“Hold them at the gate for as long as possible,” Ryker commanded into his radio. “Demand to see the physical warrant. Tell them my legal team is reviewing it.”

“Copy that, sir,” the guard replied.

“Go,” Ryker told us. “Now.”

Clara stood up, taking Owen’s hand.

I lifted Lily into my arms, surprised by how light she felt.