Chapter 10 - The Supermarket
How did two seven-year-olds reach the police station?
That part started at a supermarket three blocks away.
Michael had taken them shopping after giving Olivia the medication at home.
According to him:
He wanted groceries before returning to the house.
According to Emma:
He wanted Olivia walking around so:
“she would stop thinking about her tummy.”
Inside the supermarket, Olivia became worse.
She sat on the floor near produce.
Michael went to the pharmacy counter briefly to ask a question about another prescription.
Emma saw the front doors.
She also recognized the blue POLICE sign across the wet parking area and down the block.
She pulled Olivia up.
“Come on.”
They left.
No adult noticed for several minutes because each assumed the girls were with Michael.
By the time he realized, they were already running in the rain.
That was why the supermarket security footage later mattered.
It showed Emma physically supporting Olivia.
Looking backward repeatedly.
Heading directly toward us.
Not wandering.
May you like
Not playing.
Seeking help.
