Chapter 6 - The Visitor at the DoorThe investigator introduced herself as Marisol Bennett and showed her credentials. She explained that the agency had received a report alleging that Lily was neglected and that Emma was unable to care for her safely.
“Who filed it?” Emma asked.
“I can't give you that name,” Marisol replied. “But I can explain the concerns and hear your account.”
Evelyn started to step inside. Daniel held up a hand. “You are not welcome in this home.”
“I brought records,” Evelyn said brightly. “I'm only trying to help the baby.”
“Then hand them to the investigator,” Marisol said. “You don't need to come in.”
Nora stayed with Emma while Daniel described the assault, the hidden camera, and the false documents in storage. Marisol looked at the police report number, the photographs, and Lily's feeding log. She spoke to Emma without talking over her.
“Have you been able to sleep?”
“Not much. Lily is six weeks old.”
“Do you have support?”
“Yes. My sister. My husband is learning.”
Daniel flinched, but he didn't argue. Emma deserved the truth.
Marisol observed the nursery, asked about Lily's care, and explained the next steps. She made no immediate demand to remove the child. Evelyn waited on the porch, tapping her foot as if the visit were taking too long.
Afterward Daniel walked Marisol to her car. He asked for the proper procedure to submit the documents from the unit, and she directed him to the investigating officer and the agency's secure intake process.
Evelyn brushed past him on her way to the sidewalk. “Ruth only wants what's best.”
“Then why did you lie about being a nurse?”
Her smile disappeared. “Careful, Daniel. Your mother's kept records on Emma for weeks.”
“Records of what?”
Evelyn leaned closer. “What she says when she thinks nobody is listening.”
Before Marisol left, she gave Emma an opportunity to speak without Daniel in the room. Emma appreciated it more than she expected. Being believed did not mean being treated like a child. It meant having room to answer in her own words, even when her voice shook and she needed a moment to gather herself.
That evening the unknown number texted again: CHECK THE BABY MONITOR CLOUD ACCOUNT. NOT THE CAMERA. THE ACCOUNT.
Daniel logged into the baby monitor with Emma's permission. There were two administrators.
One was Emma.
The other was a name neither recognized: LUCY MERCER.
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Attached to Lucy's profile was a photograph of a teenage girl standing beside Ruth—a girl Daniel had never been told existed.
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