Rodriguez expanded the investigation, interviewing other students discreetly. She found that Emily wasn’t the only one who felt uncomfortable. Other children spoke of Mr. Daniels’ unpredictable temper and his tendency to belittle students who struggled with physical activities.

Meanwhile, the police delved into Mr. Daniels’ background. They discovered that while he had no prior complaints at this school, he had been dismissed from a previous teaching position under mysterious circumstances. The records were sealed, but the red flags were undeniable.