The red plastic bucket was lying on its side near the edge of the concrete. A thin trail of water ran toward the street. One of Lily’s small sneakers was beside the front step.
Nathan saw it through the windshield.
He reached for the door before the SUV had fully stopped.
Marcus caught his arm.
“Let the process work.”
Nathan looked at him.
“I’m not going in blind.”
“Exactly.”
Nathan nodded once and stepped out.
The front door opened before he reached it.
Claire stood there.
Her phone was still in her hand.
She looked exhausted rather than frightened. Her hair was pulled back loosely, and she wore the same clothes she had been wearing in the recording. Meredith stood behind her.
For a second, nobody spoke.
Then Claire said, “Nathan, this is not what you think.”
Nathan did not answer that.
“Where’s Lily?”
Claire glanced toward the hallway.
