The words hung heavy in the air, each one a small grenade exploding in the quiet of our living room. I had to stifle a gasp, my mind racing. Could there be an explanation? A rational, innocent reason for what Emma described? In the recesses of my heart, doubt had started to sprout, insidious and unwelcome.

Officer Jenkins asked softly, “Emma, did your dad say anything? Did he see you?”

She shook her head, tears glistening on her cheeks. “No, he didn’t see me. I was scared, so I hid.”