CHAPTER 7
Mrs. Miller’s hands shook as she pulled a small key from her apron pocket.
Emily took it gently.
For a second, she could barely fit it into the lock.
Not because the lock was complicated.
Because her hands were shaking too.
Captain Emily Walker had carried wounded soldiers.
She had stood calm under sirens.
She had crossed places where fear lived in the air.
But nothing had prepared her to unlock a cage holding her own mother.
The latch clicked.
Emily pulled the door open.
Eleanor tried to stand too quickly and nearly fell.
Emily caught her.
“Easy, Mom. I’ve got you.”
Eleanor collapsed into her daughter’s arms, sobbing into the rough green fabric of Emily’s uniform.
Emily held her tight.
Vivian stood behind them, breathing hard.
“She’s making this look worse than it is,” Vivian said.
Officer Harris stared at the cage.
Then at the thin blanket inside it.
Then at the plastic cup of water placed just out of Eleanor’s comfortable reach.
May you like
His face turned grim.
“Ma’am,” he said to Vivian, “I strongly suggest you stop talking.”
