“Yes,” Officer Daniels confirmed, crouching down to Emily’s level. “Sweetheart, do you remember seeing a snake when you were with Uncle Nathan?”

Emily nodded slowly, her eyes darting between the officers and me. “It was in the garden,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Uncle Nathan said it was a surprise. But it got scared and… and it wrapped around my backpack.”

My heart ached at the memory of my suspicion towards Nathan. I felt a wave of shame wash over me; how quickly doubt had crept in, how easily fear had clouded my judgment. “Emily,” I said softly, pulling her into my arms. “I’m so sorry. I should have listened to you, should have trusted Uncle Nathan.”