“Did she lay a hand on you, Ava?”

Ava looked down at her slippers.

She shook her head.

“No,” she mumbled.

“Speak up,” Daniel ordered.

“No,” she said louder, a tear spilling over her cheek.

“She didn’t touch me.”

Major Harris stood beside me, his boots clicking softly on the hardwood as he shifted his weight.

He kept his eyes forward, observing the hallway rather than the family.

The smell of his damp wool overcoat mixed with the cold drafts coming from the front door.

“Why did you say she hit you?” Daniel asked, his hand dropping to his side.

“Because she doesn’t belong here,” Ava cried.

“She’s always gone, and when she’s here, she acts like she owns everything.”

“I wanted her to leave.”

“You lied to federal officers, Ava,” Daniel said, the panic finally breaking through his voice.

“I didn’t think they’d do anything,” she sobbed.

“I just wanted her gone.”

Daniel turned back to me.

His face was pale, his mouth slightly open as he stared at the tablet in my hand.

He reached out, his fingers hovering near my wrist, but he did not touch me.