{"id":5786,"date":"2026-09-16T17:18:41","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T17:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/?p=5786"},"modified":"2026-09-16T17:18:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T17:18:41","slug":"part-4-a-seven-year-old-hid-the-evidence-in-her-shoe-at-the-police-desk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/?p=5786","title":{"rendered":"PART 4: – “A Seven-Year-Old Hid the Evidence in Her Shoe at the Police Desk”"},"content":{"rendered":"

PART 4<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Daniel Reed had learned a long time ago that fear could make people run.
\nBut it could also make them freeze.
\nRight now, everyone in the station was frozen.
\nThe dispatcher stood beside the radio.
\nThe overnight officer had one hand on the keyboard.
\nAnd Daniel was staring at the photograph on his phone.
\nThe Carter house.
\nTaken from across the street.
\nTaken recently.
\nSomeone had been watching.
\nSomeone knew the police had found the syringes.
\nSomeone knew about the investigation.
\nAnd someone had just claimed there were still two girls.
\nDaniel’s mind went immediately to Emma and Olivia.
\nSafe.
\nTogether.
\nProtected.
\nThat was what he had been told.
\nHe pulled up the placement information.
\nHe checked the contact number.
\nThen he called.
\nOne ring.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Two.<\/p>\n

Three.<\/p>\n

No answer.<\/p>\n

He tried again.<\/p>\n

Still nothing.<\/p>\n

Daniel looked at the other officer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are the twins?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn protective care.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCall the placement coordinator.\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer did.<\/p>\n

A moment later, his expression changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe’s not answering either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel’s stomach tightened.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry again.\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer did.<\/p>\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n

Daniel grabbed the radio.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll available units, respond to the Carter residence. Possible child in danger. Maintain visual observation and do not enter unless necessary to protect life.\u201d<\/p>\n

He paused.<\/p>\n

Then added:<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso verify the current location of Emma and Olivia Carter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Static answered.<\/p>\n

Then:<\/p>\n

\u201cCopy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel ran outside.<\/p>\n

Rain had stopped.<\/p>\n

The pavement was still shining under the streetlights.<\/p>\n

His cruiser engine started on the first turn.<\/p>\n

As he pulled away, his phone vibrated.<\/p>\n

Another message.<\/p>\n

YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THREE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel glanced at it.<\/p>\n

Another message appeared.<\/p>\n

THERE WERE FOUR.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He nearly missed the turn.<\/p>\n

Four.<\/p>\n

Not three.<\/p>\n

Four syringes.<\/p>\n

Four children?<\/p>\n

He accelerated.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

The Carter house was dark.<\/p>\n

Too dark.<\/p>\n

Daniel parked across the street and killed the headlights.<\/p>\n

Two patrol cars arrived behind him.<\/p>\n

He raised a hand.<\/p>\n

Nobody moved.<\/p>\n

The house stood exactly as it had in the photograph.<\/p>\n

Two stories.<\/p>\n

White siding.<\/p>\n

A narrow porch.<\/p>\n

Three windows downstairs.<\/p>\n

Four upstairs.<\/p>\n

Every curtain closed.<\/p>\n

No lights.<\/p>\n

No movement.<\/p>\n

Daniel stared at the front door.<\/p>\n

Then he noticed something.<\/p>\n

The door was open.<\/p>\n

Just an inch.<\/p>\n

He whispered into the radio.<\/p>\n

\u201cHouse appears unsecured.\u201d<\/p>\n

An officer beside him nodded.<\/p>\n

Daniel approached.<\/p>\n

He stepped onto the porch.<\/p>\n

The wood creaked.<\/p>\n

He stopped.<\/p>\n

Listened.<\/p>\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n

He pushed the door open.<\/p>\n

\u201cPolice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence.<\/p>\n

He entered.<\/p>\n

The smell hit him first.<\/p>\n

Bleach.<\/p>\n

Fresh bleach.<\/p>\n

Too much.<\/p>\n

The living room had been cleaned.<\/p>\n

Not normally cleaned.<\/p>\n

Scrubbed.<\/p>\n

The furniture had been moved.<\/p>\n

The carpet was damp.<\/p>\n

Daniel looked at the floor.<\/p>\n

Small wet footprints crossed the hallway.<\/p>\n

Child-sized.<\/p>\n

Bare feet.<\/p>\n

He followed them.<\/p>\n

The footprints stopped beside the kitchen.<\/p>\n

A chair had been overturned.<\/p>\n

One cabinet door hung open.<\/p>\n

Daniel raised his flashlight.<\/p>\n

On the counter sat a plastic cup.<\/p>\n

Inside was a clear liquid.<\/p>\n

Beside it was a syringe.<\/p>\n

Daniel stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t touch it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer behind him froze.<\/p>\n

Daniel photographed everything.<\/p>\n

Then he noticed something else.<\/p>\n

A child’s drawing.<\/p>\n

It had been taped beneath the counter.<\/p>\n

Four stick figures.<\/p>\n

Two tall.<\/p>\n

Two small.<\/p>\n

Except one of the small figures had been crossed out.<\/p>\n

Underneath the drawing was a sentence written in childish handwriting.<\/p>\n

SHE WAS THE FIRST ONE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel stared.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst one?\u201d<\/p>\n

A sound came from upstairs.<\/p>\n

A floorboard.<\/p>\n

Then another.<\/p>\n

Someone was walking.<\/p>\n

Daniel motioned to the officers.<\/p>\n

They moved toward the stairs.<\/p>\n

Daniel followed.<\/p>\n

One step.<\/p>\n

Two.<\/p>\n

Three.<\/p>\n

Then\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cPolice! If anyone is upstairs, call out!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n

He reached the landing.<\/p>\n

A bedroom door stood open.<\/p>\n

Inside was a child’s room.<\/p>\n

Pink curtains.<\/p>\n

Stuffed animals.<\/p>\n

A small desk.<\/p>\n

A bed.<\/p>\n

And on the bed\u2014<\/p>\n

a backpack.<\/p>\n

Daniel recognized it immediately.<\/p>\n

Emma’s.<\/p>\n

He rushed inside.<\/p>\n

The backpack was open.<\/p>\n

Inside were clothes.<\/p>\n

A notebook.<\/p>\n

A pair of sneakers.<\/p>\n

And a photograph.<\/p>\n

Daniel picked it up with gloved hands.<\/p>\n

It showed Emma and Olivia.<\/p>\n

But they were younger.<\/p>\n

Much younger.<\/p>\n

Standing beside another little girl.<\/p>\n

Daniel stared at the third child.<\/p>\n

He knew that face.<\/p>\n

Not personally.<\/p>\n

From the hospital records.<\/p>\n

The first deceased child.<\/p>\n

His breathing slowed.<\/p>\n

The photograph had been taken in the Carter house.<\/p>\n

Six years ago.<\/p>\n

The date was written on the back.<\/p>\n

Daniel turned it over.<\/p>\n

There were words beneath the date.<\/p>\n

Emma. Olivia. Sophie.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n

\u201cSophie.\u201d<\/p>\n

His radio crackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cDetective?\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe found something in the basement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel’s expression changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSecure it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven’t entered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel ran downstairs.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

The basement door was behind a shelf.<\/p>\n

The shelf had been pushed aside recently.<\/p>\n

The wall behind it showed scratches.<\/p>\n

Someone had moved it.<\/p>\n

Daniel pulled the shelf back.<\/p>\n

A narrow door appeared.<\/p>\n

No handle.<\/p>\n

Only a keypad.<\/p>\n

The officer beside him looked at Daniel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s not normal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel studied the keypad.<\/p>\n

Four digits.<\/p>\n

He thought about the message.<\/p>\n

Four.<\/p>\n

Then he remembered the first date in Laura Bennett’s notebook.<\/p>\n

He entered the year.<\/p>\n

The lock clicked.<\/p>\n

The door opened.<\/p>\n

Cold air rushed out.<\/p>\n

Inside was a narrow room.<\/p>\n

No windows.<\/p>\n

No furniture.<\/p>\n

Only shelves.<\/p>\n

And boxes.<\/p>\n

Dozens of them.<\/p>\n

Daniel moved his flashlight across the shelves.<\/p>\n

Each box had a name.<\/p>\n

SOPHIE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

MAYA.<\/strong><\/p>\n

LILY.<\/strong><\/p>\n

ANNA.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He stopped.<\/p>\n

There were more.<\/p>\n

Children’s names.<\/p>\n

Dates.<\/p>\n

Medical records.<\/p>\n

Photographs.<\/p>\n

School reports.<\/p>\n

And syringes.<\/p>\n

Sealed.<\/p>\n

Labeled.<\/p>\n

Catalogued.<\/p>\n

Daniel looked at the officer.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet everyone down here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer stared at the shelves.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel looked closer.<\/p>\n

Some of the boxes had dates from six years ago.<\/p>\n

Some from five.<\/p>\n

Some from four.<\/p>\n

The newest box had yesterday’s date.<\/p>\n

And the name on it was:<\/p>\n

OLIVIA CARTER.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel’s blood went cold.<\/p>\n

He reached for the box.<\/p>\n

Then stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhotograph first.\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer raised his camera.<\/p>\n

Daniel documented the label.<\/p>\n

The date.<\/p>\n

The contents.<\/p>\n

Everything.<\/p>\n

Then he opened it.<\/p>\n

Inside was a hospital bracelet.<\/p>\n

Olivia’s name.<\/p>\n

Her date of birth.<\/p>\n

A small plastic vial.<\/p>\n

And a photograph of Olivia sleeping.<\/p>\n

Taken in a hospital room.<\/p>\n

Yesterday.<\/p>\n

Daniel stared at it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer didn’t answer.<\/p>\n

Daniel picked up the photograph.<\/p>\n

The hospital room was unmistakable.<\/p>\n

He could see the monitor.<\/p>\n

The bed.<\/p>\n

The curtain.<\/p>\n

The exact chair where Emma had been sitting.<\/p>\n

Someone had taken this photograph while Olivia was under medical care.<\/p>\n

Someone had been inside.<\/p>\n

Watching her.<\/p>\n

Daniel turned the photograph over.<\/p>\n

One sentence.<\/p>\n

SHE REMEMBERS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

At the hospital, Emma woke suddenly.<\/p>\n

She sat upright.<\/p>\n

Her foster guardian was asleep in the chair.<\/p>\n

A nurse looked in through the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma stared at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere’s Olivia?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe’s right next door.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nurse stepped inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe moved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nurse frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma climbed out of bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wasn’t there when I woke up.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nurse checked the room.<\/p>\n

The bed beside Olivia was empty.<\/p>\n

The monitor was still running.<\/p>\n

The blanket was folded.<\/p>\n

The IV line remained connected to the stand.<\/p>\n

But Olivia was gone.<\/p>\n

The nurse’s face changed.<\/p>\n

She reached for the emergency button.<\/p>\n

Emma grabbed her wrist.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma, I need to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants us to look.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nurse stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s eyes moved toward the window.<\/p>\n

Then she whispered:<\/p>\n

\u201cDaddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Daniel’s phone rang.<\/p>\n

Hospital security.<\/p>\n

He answered immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cReed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficer, we have a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOlivia Carter is missing from the pediatric unit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

For one second, he couldn’t speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay that again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was in her room. Staff stepped away for less than two minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoors?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSecured.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCameras?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReviewing now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny sign of forced entry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel looked at the photograph in his hand.<\/p>\n

The photograph of Olivia sleeping.<\/p>\n

Taken inside the hospital.<\/p>\n

Yesterday.<\/p>\n

He understood.<\/p>\n

Someone didn’t need to break into the hospital.<\/p>\n

Someone already had access.<\/p>\n

\u201cLock the building down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlready doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t let anyone move the child outside the secure area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re trying to locate her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel looked at the basement.<\/p>\n

At the boxes.<\/p>\n

At the names.<\/p>\n

At the evidence.<\/p>\n

Then he noticed something.<\/p>\n

A red light.<\/p>\n

Blinking.<\/p>\n

Tiny.<\/p>\n

Almost invisible.<\/p>\n

Attached beneath one of the shelves.<\/p>\n

A camera.<\/p>\n

Someone had been recording the basement.<\/p>\n

Daniel approached.<\/p>\n

The officer beside him raised his weapon.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t touch it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel didn’t.<\/p>\n

He photographed it.<\/p>\n

Then he looked at the camera lens.<\/p>\n

It was pointed directly toward the entrance.<\/p>\n

Toward whoever opened the door.<\/p>\n

Daniel’s phone vibrated.<\/p>\n

Another message.<\/p>\n

He looked down.<\/p>\n

TOO LATE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Then a second.<\/p>\n

LOOK AT THE CAMERA.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel stared at the tiny lens.<\/p>\n

A video notification appeared.<\/p>\n

Someone had sent him a live feed.<\/p>\n

He opened it.<\/p>\n

The screen showed a hospital hallway.<\/p>\n

Daniel recognized it.<\/p>\n

Pediatric floor.<\/p>\n

The camera angle was high.<\/p>\n

Fixed.<\/p>\n

The hallway was empty.<\/p>\n

Then a figure stepped into view.<\/p>\n

Small.<\/p>\n

Wearing hospital pajamas.<\/p>\n

Olivia.<\/p>\n

Daniel’s heart slammed against his ribs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s her.\u201d<\/p>\n

The figure walked slowly toward an elevator.<\/p>\n

Then stopped.<\/p>\n

Looked directly at the camera.<\/p>\n

And raised one finger to her lips.<\/p>\n

Behind her, the elevator doors opened.<\/p>\n

Someone stood inside.<\/p>\n

Tall.<\/p>\n

Dark coat.<\/p>\n

Face hidden.<\/p>\n

Daniel shouted:<\/p>\n

\u201cFreeze the elevators!\u201d<\/p>\n

The video went black.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

The hospital erupted into motion.<\/p>\n

Security officers ran through the corridors.<\/p>\n

Nurses checked stairwells.<\/p>\n

Doors locked.<\/p>\n

Elevators stopped.<\/p>\n

But Olivia was gone.<\/p>\n

Daniel arrived less than eight minutes later.<\/p>\n

He ran through the pediatric unit.<\/p>\n

Emma was sitting on the bed.<\/p>\n

Her foster guardian was beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma.\u201d<\/p>\n

The girl looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe’s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel knelt.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you hear anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

She thought.<\/p>\n

Then nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cA bell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of bell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike a bicycle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cInside the hospital?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOlivia heard it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe said it meant someone was coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe girl in the picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel went still.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat girl?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSophie.\u201d<\/p>\n

The name seemed to echo.<\/p>\n

Daniel pulled out the photograph from the Carter house.<\/p>\n

He showed it to Emma.<\/p>\n

Emma nodded immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did you meet her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Daddy’s house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma lowered her voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore Sophie died.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel stared at her.<\/p>\n

The room seemed to stop breathing.<\/p>\n

\u201cSophie is dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe told us she wasn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel sat down.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked toward the door.<\/p>\n

Then toward the security camera.<\/p>\n

And whispered:<\/p>\n

\u201cNot here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he can hear us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel looked at the camera.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe person Daddy was afraid of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

That sentence changed the investigation.<\/p>\n

Until that moment, Daniel had believed Michael Carter was the center of the story.<\/p>\n

A controlling father.<\/p>\n

A suspicious prescription.<\/p>\n

Hidden syringes.<\/p>\n

Dead children.<\/p>\n

But Emma had just said something different.<\/p>\n

Michael was afraid.<\/p>\n

Afraid of someone else.<\/p>\n

Daniel asked Emma whether her father had ever mentioned that person.<\/p>\n

She shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe never said his name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he call him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma thought for several seconds.<\/p>\n

Then:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel’s stomach dropped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you ever see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Daddy’s house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he look like?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma closed her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite coat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn’t talk like Daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did he talk?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel waited.<\/p>\n

Emma opened her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe knew our names.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he’d been watching us for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel’s jaw tightened.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he ever touch you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe watched Olivia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s voice became barely audible.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause Olivia was the one who remembered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRemembered what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked toward the hallway.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel waited.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma whispered:<\/p>\n

\u201cShe didn’t die at the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Daniel didn’t move.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma repeated it.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe didn’t die at the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho told you that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSophie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel pulled out his notebook.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what Sophie said.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s hands trembled.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe said her name wasn’t really Sophie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel looked at the photograph.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen who was she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did she call herself?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNumber Four.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel felt a chill.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause Daddy called us numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel stared.<\/p>\n

\u201cNumbers?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOlivia was Number Two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were Number One?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma’s voice dropped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was Number Three.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel slowly looked back at the photograph.<\/p>\n

Three girls.<\/p>\n

Emma.<\/p>\n

Olivia.<\/p>\n

Sophie.<\/p>\n

But the basement had contained four names.<\/p>\n

And the anonymous messages had said:<\/p>\n

THERE WERE FOUR.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel finally understood.<\/p>\n

The syringes weren’t the only thing being counted.<\/p>\n

The children were.<\/p>\n

He stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma, where is Number Four?\u201d<\/p>\n

She began to cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you ever meet her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLast winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Daddy’s house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was her name?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma stared at the floor.<\/p>\n

Then she said:<\/p>\n

\u201cLily.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel remembered the basement box.<\/p>\n

LILY.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He turned toward the door.<\/p>\n

A security officer was standing there.<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficer Reed?\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe found something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer held up a small evidence bag.<\/p>\n

Inside was a child’s hair ribbon.<\/p>\n

Pink.<\/p>\n

With a tiny metal charm attached.<\/p>\n

Daniel recognized it from the photograph.<\/p>\n

It belonged to Lily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did you find that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the elevator.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel looked toward the hallway.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat floor?\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cBasement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel’s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hospital doesn’t have a pediatric basement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel walked toward the elevator.<\/p>\n

The officer followed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel pressed the button.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the hospital has another floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

The elevator descended.<\/p>\n

Ground floor.<\/p>\n

Basement one.<\/p>\n

Then stopped.<\/p>\n

The display went blank.<\/p>\n

The doors opened.<\/p>\n

Daniel stepped into darkness.<\/p>\n

There was no hospital corridor.<\/p>\n

No fluorescent lights.<\/p>\n

No nurses.<\/p>\n

Only a concrete passage.<\/p>\n

The walls were old.<\/p>\n

The air smelled of dust and disinfectant.<\/p>\n

Daniel raised his flashlight.<\/p>\n

A sign hung ahead.<\/p>\n

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Below it, handwritten in black marker:<\/p>\n

NUMBERS 1\u20134.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel stared at the words.<\/p>\n

Then he heard something.<\/p>\n

A child’s voice.<\/p>\n

Faint.<\/p>\n

From somewhere deeper in the corridor.<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficer Reed?\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel froze.<\/p>\n

He knew that voice.<\/p>\n

Olivia.<\/p>\n

He ran.<\/p>\n

The corridor turned left.<\/p>\n

Then right.<\/p>\n

At the end was a steel door.<\/p>\n

Behind it\u2014<\/p>\n

someone was crying.<\/p>\n

Daniel grabbed the handle.<\/p>\n

Locked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOlivia!\u201d<\/p>\n

The crying stopped.<\/p>\n

Then a voice answered.<\/p>\n

Not Olivia.<\/p>\n

A man’s voice.<\/p>\n

Calm.<\/p>\n

Almost gentle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou took your time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel stepped backward.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man laughed softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou’ve been asking the wrong question.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat question should I be asking?\u201d<\/p>\n

A pause.<\/p>\n

Then:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did Michael Carter need four syringes?\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel’s hand tightened around his flashlight.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou kidnapped a child.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou took Olivia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen where is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice became quieter.<\/p>\n

\u201cBehind you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel turned.<\/p>\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n

The corridor was empty.<\/p>\n

Then his radio crackled.<\/p>\n

A dispatcher screamed:<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficer Reed! Get out of the building!\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel looked toward the steel door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause the fire alarms just activated.\u201d<\/p>\n

A second later, smoke began creeping beneath the door.<\/p>\n

Daniel grabbed the handle.<\/p>\n

Still locked.<\/p>\n

He pulled harder.<\/p>\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n

The man’s voice returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel shouted:<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstand what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy the first three never made it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lights went off.<\/p>\n

Total darkness.<\/p>\n

Then\u2014<\/p>\n

a small hand grabbed Daniel’s.<\/p>\n

He almost shouted.<\/p>\n

A child’s voice whispered beside him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel crouched.<\/p>\n

\u201cOlivia?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice trembled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Lily.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel’s heart stopped.<\/p>\n

The fourth girl was alive.<\/p>\n

And she had been waiting in the dark.<\/p>\n

Then somewhere behind the steel door, a lock clicked.<\/p>\n

Once.<\/p>\n

Twice.<\/p>\n

The door began to open.<\/p>\n

And Lily squeezed Daniel’s hand harder.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t let him see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

She whispered the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door opened another inch.<\/p>\n

A shadow appeared on the other side.<\/p>\n

Daniel raised his flashlight.<\/p>\n

The beam struck a white coat.<\/p>\n

Then a face.<\/p>\n

Daniel knew that face.<\/p>\n

He had seen it before.<\/p>\n

Not at the hospital.<\/p>\n

Not at the Carter house.<\/p>\n

Not in the pharmacy.<\/p>\n

He had seen it in the records.<\/p>\n

Six years earlier.<\/p>\n

On the bottom of the first deceased child’s medical report.<\/p>\n

The attending physician.<\/p>\n

The doctor who had signed the death certificate.<\/p>\n

The doctor who had disappeared from the hospital’s records shortly afterward.<\/p>\n

Daniel whispered his name.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Adrian Vale.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man smiled.<\/p>\n

And said:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou finally remembered me.\u201d<\/p>\n

TO BE CONTINUED\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Click Here to continuous Read\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b Full Ending Story\ud83d\udc49PART(5): – “A Seven-Year-Old Hid the Evidence in Her Shoe at the Police Desk”<\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PART 4 Daniel Reed had learned a long time ago that fear could make people run. But it could also make them freeze. Right now, everyone in the station was … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4139,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5786"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5789,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5786\/revisions\/5789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nexttaleus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}