Liam didn’t miss the looks from her coworkers as they sped through the dayroom.
“Yes. It’s nothing like that. We just need to talk to you about something.”
He could hear Isabella’s voice in the background but couldn’t make out what was said.
“We’re on our way.” He used the fob, unlocked the vehicle, and opened the door.
“Lieutenant!” Sam yelled as she veered off from Liam.
There was silence over the phone.
“Sophia.” His tone was sharp.
“Just you,” she said. “I had to leave the room. Isabella’s scared, and I don’t think she’ll say anything if her sister shows up.”
Sam climbed into the passenger seat and started buckling up.
Liam stroked his chin. “Okay.” He disconnected the call.
“Isabella is at your house? Is she hurt?” Sam looked at him, concern filling her features.
He nodded. “They want to talk to me.” She wasn’t going to like this. “Alone.”
Her eyes widened. “They don’t want me there?”
“Sophia said Isabella is scared, and she’s afraid she won’t talk to me if you show up.”
Her shoulders slumped and her face fell. He’d just delivered an emotional punch. He knew how it would feel if the girls didn’t want him there.
“I’m sorry.” Like that would make it better. “I’ll go talk to the girls and let you know what’s going on. I promise.”
Sam stared out the windshield. “She doesn’t want me there?”
He reached over and laid his hand on her forearm. “Don’t let your thoughts go crazy. I’ve seen it before. Kids are more open and honest with someone they don’t know that well, because they’re not worried about that person being disappointed in them.”
Sam turned to look at him. “I’m supposed to just let you go, and I stay here?”
“Do you trust me?” He studied her face. “I’m the one here to keep you and Bella safe.”
“I don’t even know you.”
“I understand. I’m asking a lot of you right now. But trust me. Let me go see what I can find out.”
The emergency alarm started blaring.
“Go do your job. I’ll call you after I’ve talked to them.”
Her coworkers flooded into the bay.
“Okay.” She got out of his vehicle and jogged to the engine, then started preparing to go out.
Liam put the vehicle in Reverse. “Lord, we need You now. Give me strength to deal with whatever is coming and knowledge on how to handle it. Give Sam the peace and comfort only You can. Be with Isabella and Sophia and give them strength to face this. In Jesus’s name.”
All kinds of scenarios went through his mind on his way home. None of them good. He pulled into the driveway, took a deep breath, and said another prayer before climbing from the vehicle and going inside.
“Sophia. I’m home.” He shut and locked the front door.
“We’re in here,” Sophia yelled from her bedroom.
