Reyes looked at Sarah, then at Dr. Patel, and made the call every child-abuse detective learns to make quickly:
Don’t debate. Don’t delay. Don’t “wait for more details.”
He spoke into his radio. “Units to the address now. Welfare check. Possible immediate danger. Kick-ready.”
Evan’s entire body tensed.
“You’re sending them there?” he asked, fear rising. “No—no—he’ll hear—”
Reyes leaned in. “Evan, listen to me. You got Lily out. That was step one. We’re doing step two. You’re not alone anymore.”
And for the first time, Evan’s expression cracked. Not crying—just that brief, devastated look of a kid who’s been alone in an adult nightmare for too long.
Keep reading—because when police reached the house, the front porch looked normal. Too normal. And that’s what terrified them 👇
