Chapter 3: The Second Recording
The second file came from inside Mia's classroom.
I pressed play.
The timestamp showed 8:17 a.m.
Mia skipped happily to her cubby.
She hung up her little yellow backpack.
Then she pulled the wrapped treat from her pocket.
My heart stopped.
Ms. Parker walked over immediately.
She knelt beside Mia.
The teacher gently took the candy from her hands.
Even through the silent video, I could read her lips.
"Did Mommy pack this?"
Mia smiled.
She shook her head.
Then pointed toward the door.
"Daddy."
Ms. Parker frowned.
She looked at the wrapper.
Then her expression changed instantly.
She rushed toward another teacher.
Within seconds they were searching Mia's backpack.
One teacher grabbed the emergency allergy medication.
Another picked up the classroom phone.
The room suddenly erupted into panic.
I watched Mia begin coughing.
Then scratching her throat.
Her tiny body started trembling.
Children backed away in confusion.
Teachers surrounded her.
One administered the emergency injector.
Another performed CPR while waiting for paramedics.
Then the screen froze.
I buried my face in my hands.
Daniel had told me the daycare accidentally gave Mia the wrong snack.
That had been the official report.
It was all a lie.
Someone had brought the allergen into the building before class even began.
Someone Mia trusted enough to accept candy from.
Someone she loved.
Her father.
At 2:31 a.m., my phone rang again.
This time it wasn't Ms. Parker.
It was Detective Owen Harris.
"Mrs. Carter," he said quietly.
"I think you should come to the police station before your husband wakes up."
"Why?"
"We've identified the man in the parking lot."
My stomach tightened.
"And?"
There was a long silence.
May you like
Then he answered.
"He isn't a stranger."
