75

FRIDAY, 9:55 PM

WHEN THEY ENTERED THE HOUSE, Jessica pointed Drew to the basement.

“He’s at the bottom of the stairs, and to the right,” she said.

“Can you tell me anything about his injuries?” Drew asked.

“I don’t know,” Jessica said. “He’s unconscious.”

As the paramedic descended the stairs into the basement, Jessica heard him call in the 911 emergency.

She mounted the stairs to Sophie’s room. She unlocked the closet door. Sophie was awake and sitting up, lost in a forest of coats and slacks.

“You okay, baby?” she asked.

Sophie remained unresponsive.

“Mommy’s here, sweetie. Mommy’s here.”

She picked Sophie up. Sophie put her little arms around her neck. They were safe now. Jessica could feel Sophie’s heart beating against her.

Jessica crossed the bedroom to the front windows. The street was only partially flooded. She watched for backup.

“Ma’am?”

Drew was calling her.

Jessica walked to the top of the stairs. “What’s wrong?”

“Uh, well, I don’t know how to tell you this.”

“Tell me what?”

Drew said, “There’s no one in the basement.”