Officer Daniel Harris acknowledged first. His partner, María López, was already turning the patrol car down Elm before the dispatcher had finished reading the address.
Claire kept the child talking.
—”Emily, listen to me. The police are on the way. They’re coming right now.”
A tiny sob crackled through the speaker.
—”He’s coming up the stairs…”
Claire’s heart slammed once against her ribs.
—”Emily—”
The line went dead.
By the time Daniel and María pulled onto Maplewood Drive, the whole street looked painfully normal. Porch lights glowed warm against neat lawns. A white fence lined the front of the house. A swing set stood motionless in the backyard.
