PHOTOS.
RECORDINGS.
MONEY.
RICK’S TRUCK.
MOM’S PHONE.
DATES.
READ FIRST.
I opened the final folder.
Inside was a video.
Mia appeared on the screen.
She sat on the floor of what looked like her bedroom closet. The light was dim, and she kept glancing toward the door.
“If you’re watching this,” she whispered, “we either got caught or Mom didn’t come home.”
My stomach dropped.
Ben sat beside her, hugging his knees.
Mia continued.
“Our stepdad’s name is Richard Doyle. Everyone calls him Rick. He hurts our mom, but he tells people she falls because she takes medicine.”
Ben whispered, “She doesn’t.”
Mia nodded.
“She takes medicine because he hurts her.”
The video shook as she adjusted the phone.
“He took her passport. He has all the bank cards. He checks her phone every night. She tried to leave last year, but he found us at Aunt Rachel’s house.”
I knew Laura had a sister.
