Mara stayed between Vanessa and the girls. One hand rested on Lily’s shoulder. The other kept June tucked against her hip. I noticed then that her wrist was shaking.
“Take the girls to the breakfast room,” I said.
Lily shook her head so fast her ponytail slapped her cheek.
“No. She lies when we leave.”
That landed harder than the recording.
I looked at Cal. “Lock the front and side doors. No one comes in, and she doesn’t leave until we’re done.”
Vanessa gave a short laugh. “You’re joking.”
Cal didn’t answer. He just lifted his radio and started issuing orders.
Vanessa’s face changed again. The polished version of her dropped away, and the colder one came back.
“I was disciplining them,” she said. “That’s called structure. You let these girls do whatever they want, and your staff encourages it.”
