“mom, i have a fever… can i stay home from school today?” the girl said. her mother touched her forehead and allowed her to stay. around noon, the girl heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. quietly peeking out of her room, she saw her aunt come in and secretly slip something into the pocket of her mother’s coat. before leaving, the aunt spoke on the phone and said, “i took care of everything. you can call the police tonight. that fool won’t suspect a thing.”
“Mom, I have a fever… can I stay home from school today?” twelve-year-old Emily Carter whispered, her voice thin and shaky.Her mother, Laura Carter, pressed the back of her hand to Emily’s forehead, frowned slightly, and nodded. “All right. Stay in bed. I’ll check on you later.” The house fell quiet after Laura left for…