Carter Marshall stood in his sister Emily’s sunlit living room, watching his retired German Shepherd, Atlas, bark urgently at a purple toy chest. This bark was not ordinary; it was primal and filled with an urgency that sent shivers down Carter’s spine. After 18 years of K-9 training, he recognized the difference between playful barks and those that signaled something was terribly wrong. This was the latter.
“Atlas, what is it, boy?” Carter called, stepping closer. The dog stood rigid, ears pinned back, tail stiff as iron, growling low, teeth flashing in the afternoon light. Seven-year-old Sophie, who had been playing with dolls on the carpet moments before, cowered behind the couch, small hands clamped over her ears. Something in her wide eyes hinted at recognition, as if she already knew what Atlas had discovered.
Carter knelt beside the toy chest, placing a hand on Atlas’s back. The dog twitched under his touch but remained focused on the chest, as if it were a compass pointing toward danger. “It’s just a toy box,” Emily said, trying to lighten the mood as she entered from the kitchen, dish towel in hand. “Atlas is getting jumpy in his old age.”
James, her boyfriend, leaned against the door frame, arms crossed over his button-down shirt, a smile playing on his lips. “Is your dog always this dramatic off duty?”
Carter ignored them both. When Atlas barked like that, it meant danger. He slowly opened the lid of the toy chest, revealing a jumble of stuffed animals and plastic dolls. A mermaid with flowing blue hair, a one-eyed teddy bear, and a pink rabbit with a chewed ear stared back at him. “See?” Emily gestured. “Just toys.”
But Atlas wouldn’t stop growling. Carter began lifting out the toys one by one, placing them carefully on the carpet. Sophie remained behind the couch, her eyes glued to the chest, growing wider with each item removed. At the very bottom, tucked inside a large teddy bear with a rip along its seam, something metallic glinted.
Carter paused, heart racing. Inside the bear’s belly, wrapped in gauze and secured with duct tape, was a small black object no larger than a stick of gum—a lens with a blinking red light. A hidden camera. “What the hell is that?” Emily’s voice lost its casual tone.
Carter held up the device, turning it to show the tiny lens. “Someone’s been watching.” James stepped forward, brow furrowed. “That’s disturbing. How did it get there?” He reached for the device. “Let me see. I work in IT. Maybe I can tell what kind it is.”
Something in James’s too-eager reach made Carter instinctively pull back. “I’ll have it checked out professionally. Where did that bear come from?” Carter asked, turning to Emily. Her face paled. “A garage sale a few weeks ago. James found it. Said it looked like something Sophie would like.”
All eyes turned to James, who shrugged with an easy smile. “Five bucks for a bear that size. Seemed like a good deal.” He knelt down to Sophie’s level. “Did you know there was something in your bear, sweetheart?”
Sophie shrank back, gripping the edge of the couch. She shook her head, eyes darting between James and Atlas, who had positioned himself between the child and the adults. “Maybe it was already in there when you bought it,” Emily offered, desperation creeping into her voice.
Carter shook his head. “A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing.” Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.” All the adults turned to look at her.
Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?” Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second, so quick Carter almost missed it, before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it. A slight stiffening, almost imperceptible.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly. Sophie suddenly spoke again. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her. Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet. “Sometimes I get scared at night. Atlas knows when I’m scared.”
James cleared his throat. “Kids have such active imaginations. Remember when she was convinced there was a monster under her bed last month?” He laughed softly. “I checked three times before she’d go to sleep.”
The casual way he mentioned being in Sophie’s room sent a chill through Carter. It wasn’t unreasonable for a mother’s boyfriend to help with bedtime routines, but something in Sophie’s posture had changed at the mention of it.
“I need to make a call,” Carter said, stepping into the hallway. He dialed his old partner from the force, Detective Sarah Morgan, bypassing the standard reporting channels. “Sarah, it’s Carter. I need your help. It’s about my niece.”
Ten minutes later, as Carter ended the call, he returned to find Emily and James in heated whispers in the kitchen. Sophie had moved to sit on the floor beside Atlas, her small hand buried in his fur, her face pressed against his neck as if telling him secrets. The dog remained perfectly still, allowing the contact while keeping vigilant eyes on the doorway where James stood.
“Sarah’s coming over,” Carter announced. “She’ll bring the right people to check out the camera and take statements.” Emily’s face paled. “Is that really necessary?”
“We don’t know where this thing came from. It could be embarrassing if it turns out to be nothing.”
“A hidden camera in a child’s toy is never nothing,” Carter said firmly.
Sophie suddenly spoke, her voice small but clear. “Can Atlas stay with me? He makes the bad feelings go away.”
All eyes turned to her, and Emily crossed the room and knelt beside her daughter. “What bad feelings, sweetie? Did someone make you feel bad?”
Sophie’s eyes flicked to James for a split second before she looked down at her socked feet.
