Chapter 2 - THE DETECTIVE ARRIVES
Within thirty minutes of Dr. Harrison’s call, two Tulsa police officers and a social worker from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services arrived at the emergency ward.
The lead investigator, Detective Miller—a sharp, no-nonsense woman with silver-streaked hair and a steady, perceptive gaze—pulled up a chair beside my makeshift seat near Milo’s bed. Adelina had finally fallen asleep, her head pillowed against my thigh, her small fingers still locked protectively into the cuff of my jacket.
"Mr. Vance, I’ve read the preliminary medical report and talked to Dr. Harrison," Detective Miller said, opening a small leather-bound notebook. "You stated that these children are your nephew and niece, the sons and daughters of your late brother Desmond and his second wife, Corinne."
"That's right," I replied, keeping my voice low so as not to wake Milo, who had drifted into an uneasy, feverish sleep. "Desmond died three years ago of a sudden heart attack. At least, that's what we were told. Corinne became their sole legal guardian. But ever since the funeral, she systematically cut the rest of the family out of their lives. Every time I tried to visit, she claimed they were sick, traveling, or napping. I stupidly backed off because I thought I was respecting her privacy as a grieving widow."
"Grieving windows don't usually lock six-year-olds and three-year-olds in a basement for days on end," Detective Miller noted grimly, her pen scratching across the paper. "Milo mentioned a basement. Can you describe the layout of your brother's house?"
"It’s a two-story split-level on Elmwood Avenue. There’s an exterior bulkhead door leading down to an unfinished cellar, as well as an interior deadbolt door underneath the main staircase," I explained, the layout suddenly flashing in my mind with terrifying clarity. "The interior door has a heavy slide lock installed high up on the frame—high enough that a toddler or even a young child couldn't possibly reach it from the inside."
Detective Miller closed her notebook with a sharp snap. "That confirms it. We’re looking at systematic, premeditated false imprisonment and severe child abuse. I’m dispatching a tactical unit to the Elmwood address right now to secure the premises and detain Corinne."
"I'm coming with you," I said immediately.
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"Mr. Vance—"
"No," I interrupted, looking down at sleeping Adelina. "You need someone who knows the house, who knows the family, and who can make sure Corinne doesn't destroy whatever evidence is hidden down there. My nephew crawled seven blocks through the dirt to save his sister. The least I can do is help nail the monster who put them there."
