Hearing this, Jack couldn't help but look sideways. This little girl was extraordinary. Not only was she calm, but she was also very strong and patient. In America, not many adults could have done what she just did.
"Do you have any impression of his residence?" Hannah asked.
Kara nodded. "I've been trying to remember every detail about the house. I know he had a girlfriend named Winnie, and they talked on the phone occasionally. I even heard they were going to Disneyland on the 20th, and he had written down the hotel on his calendar. Oh, and I also remember his family doctor's name and phone number: Greg Neubling, 803-555-6714."
"But I was too scared when I escaped to stay. I didn't recognize the neighborhood. I just remember it was a gray bungalow with a red brick roof, and I didn't see the house number."
"I was so scared, constantly worried he'd find me and chase me down and shoot me. I just kept running. I'm so sorry—sob."
"It's okay, it's okay, honey. You're doing great. You're an amazing girl, you know that?" Hannah said softly, hugging Kara and looking back at Jack.
Jack nodded, his face set in a grim line, showing he had memorized every detail.
Suddenly, the ward door flung open, and a roar filled the air:
"Stay away from my daughter, you damn policemen!"
A middle-aged couple in flashy clothes stormed into the ward. The blond-haired woman, who resembled Kara, threw herself onto the bed, sobbing over her daughter. The father, graying at the temples, pointed furiously at Jack and Hannah.
"Get out of here! We don't need you asshole cops harassing my daughter until my lawyer gets here!"
Hannah tried to reason with him. "Sir, please calm down. We just want to help Kara. There's another girl in danger. We need clues to find the kidnapper as soon as possible."
But the man only grew angrier. "Clues? Do you know how many clues we gave you before? We begged for help, and you didn't even issue an Amber Alert. Now my daughter's been abused, and she's lost her innocence!"
Then he turned on Kara. "Damn it, Kara! I warned you about hanging out with those girlfriends. Look at you now!"
Before he could finish, Jack grabbed him by the neck and shoved him against the hallway wall. His voice was cold, sharp as a knife:
"Respected sir, I understand your anger. But Kara is a smart, brave girl. She did everything she could just to survive—to come home and see her family again."
Jack's grip tightened. "I don't care if you're some conservative Catholic who obsesses over chastity—she's your daughter. If I hear you insult her one more time, I won't be polite."
The man was big, almost Jack's size, but the younger officer pinned him like a ragdoll. Hannah stood nearby, her arms crossed, more than ready to jump in.
"Jack, that's enough." Superintendent Gray's voice boomed as he appeared, striding down the hall with two detectives in tow. Dr. Grace followed close behind. They had all seen the confrontation.
Dr. Grace's expression was ice. "Mr. Robinson, I'm warning you—this is a hospital. Cause another scene, and security will throw you out. And don't you dare say another word that might harm my patient. This child suffered inhumane abuse, but she hasn't—" He caught himself, then finished sharply, "—what she needs now is care, not your accusations."
Superintendent Gray's face was no warmer. "Mr. Robinson, I have a daughter your age. If this were me, I'd stay by her side and help her heal. Not scream at her."
His voice hardened. "And while you're at it, remember there's another family out there waiting for news of their daughter, whose fate is still unknown. If you have any sense, you'll help us catch this bastard instead of dragging reporters into this and embarrassing yourself."
Jack thought grimly, Now that's how a real superintendent handles things—half threat, half guilt trip. Perfectly played. His eyes flicked toward Dr. Grace. Her right hand rested on a folder, her ring finger bare.
Mr. Robinson's bluster faltered. He struggled, then fell silent. His wife, wiping tears from her eyes, finally stepped in.
"I'm sorry. My husband only acted out of love for Kara. She's our only daughter, and we called the police the moment she went missing. But the detectives on the case dismissed us. They said teenagers run away all the time. We were ignored."
Unlike her husband, Mrs. Robinson spoke with controlled emotion—frustrated, yes, but careful. Her eyes darted toward the detectives who had entered with Gray.
Superintendent Gray introduced them. "Detectives Motta and Page, Serious Crimes Squad."
Motta was short, stocky, balding, with a gray mustache. Page was a tall Black woman with an afro and sharp eyes.
Hannah stepped forward quickly. "Have you identified the girl named Emma?"
Motta's face flushed. Stung by Mrs. Robinson's earlier jab, he jabbed a finger at Hannah and Jack. "Superintendent, are you really letting your rookies criticize our work?"
Gray's stare darkened. "I think they're doing their jobs. On the contrary, maybe if you'd done yours better, that girl inside wouldn't have had to suffer so long."
The hallway fell silent. Detective Page, sensing the tension, quickly interjected, changing the subject before things could explode further.
(End of this chapter)