Baby Doll(31)

“Sky, listen to me. We’ll go downstairs with your mom. We’ll sit right outside and you can watch her through the windows. If you get scared, all we have to do is knock and she’ll come right outside.”

Lily was transported back to her own childhood. This was the mother Lily remembered. The powerful, commanding presence that made the boogeymen disappear. Sky was considering this proposal but she wasn’t sold yet. Eve continued.

“And while we wait, you and I can take more pictures of you and your friend bear. What do you say? Can we do that?”

Sky frowned, still unsure. Lily offered her daughter an encouraging squeeze. “I don’t want to leave you either, but I have a very important job to do. I need you to be Mommy’s brave little girl.”

Sky bit her lip, her tiny brow furrowing so deeply she appeared much older than her six years. She leaned into Lily. “If you get scared, Mommy, I’ll be right outside.”

Lily’s heart burst. She longed to pull Sky back into her arms. Instead, she allowed Eve to pick Sky up. Lily mouthed thank you to her mother, and they all made their way downstairs, a somber parade of people.

Outside the conference room, someone had already set up a row of chairs. Eve promptly settled on one of them, pulling Sky onto her lap. Lily hovered nearby, staring inside the room at several male FBI agents setting up their video equipment. Dr. Zaretsky and Agent Stevens joined the other agents, a briefing clearly taking place. Lily’s stomach churned, but she forced herself to remain calm. Clear your mind, she reminded herself. Control your breathing. This is just a temporary state.

“We’re ready for you, Lily,” Agent Stevens said, returning to where Lily was waiting.

Lily reached for Abby’s hand and pulled her forward.

“I’m afraid we don’t allow family members in these interviews. This is very sensitive subject matter and it can be… it can be difficult, ” Dr. Zaretsky said gently.

“She’s coming with me,” Lily said, her tone surprisingly defiant. She stopped to look at Abby. “Unless you don’t think you can? After yesterday…”

“No. I’m fine. I want to be there for you, Lil, but I don’t want to ruin anything. I’ll just wait here.” Lily turned back to the agent.

“Then I want Abby with me.”

The agent was calm but firm.

“Lily, we understand where you’re coming from, but…”

“I said I want Abby with me. Or you don’t get your interview.”

Lily stared at them, a sense of pride welling up inside. With Rick, she’d never talked back, never considered defying him, especially once Sky was born. But she wasn’t going to let anyone tell her what she could do. This is the new Lily, she told herself. Remember this when anyone tries to break you.

“I see. Can you give us a moment?”

“Of course.” Lily watched as Agent Stevens and Dr. Zaretsky conferred privately. Lily knew they would give in. They had to. Catching Rick was too important. She hated being difficult, but Lily simply couldn’t stand to have anyone else telling her what to do. Dr. Zaretsky returned moments later. “If you’re ready, let’s get started,” she said, and gestured for both girls to follow her.

Still holding Abby’s hand, Lily entered the conference room filled with floor-to-ceiling windows and a giant open space. It was twice the size of Lily’s former home, but Lily couldn’t think about that now. It would be dangerous to constantly compare her two different lives.

As Lily settled into one of the hard-backed chairs, the other agents slipped out of the room. Agent Stevens settled into another chair nearby while Dr. Zaretsky closed the door. Lily had to fight the urge to make sure it wasn’t locked, make sure that she could leave anytime she wanted.

“Lily, we cannot express how sorry we are for what you and your daughter have endured. But we are so glad you are here and that you escaped. We want to make sure the person responsible for your abduction is punished,” Agent Stevens said sympathetically.

“We’ve located Rick Hanson’s cabin, and we’re collecting evidence, but we need your statement. Making this case stick means we have to act fast. We can take breaks if you need to, but—”

“I’m ready. I’ve been ready.”

Dr. Zaretsky took over.

“I’m a child and adolescent forensic interviewer, or a CAFI for short. I consult with the FBI on cases in which children were abused or kidnapped. I have a background in social work and a private practice in upstate New York where I work with victims of abuse. Do you have any questions about my role in your case?”

“So your job is to interview people like me, to hear our stories about what people like Rick do?”

“Yes.”

“And are there a lot of people out there like me? People who’ve been through what I’ve been through?”

Lily could see Dr. Zaretsky’s wheels turning, trying to assess the right amount of information to share.

“There are a lot of sick people out there. But there are also a lot of very brave children and young women like yourself.”

The answer was appropriately sympathetic. What a terrible job, Lily thought. Listening to people recount their most degrading experiences day after day.

“My job is to listen and to make sure that the courts and the lawyers have your testimony on record. If at any time you need to take a break or you have to stop, all you have to do is say the word. Got it?”