Finally, Angela tore herself away from the scene and stumbled back to the front desk, her hands shaking as she picked up the phone. She hesitated, her heart thundering in her chest. What if she was wrong? But no—she couldn’t ignore the fear she had seen in the girl’s eyes, the unnatural stillness that clung to her like a second skin.

With trembling fingers, Angela dialed the police. She kept her voice steady as she relayed what she had seen, knowing that every second counted. The operator assured her that a patrol car was on its way, urging her to stay calm and not confront the man.

The minutes seemed to stretch into eternity as Angela waited, her eyes glued to the clock above the desk. Finally, the distant wail of sirens pierced the heavy silence. Angela exhaled a shaky breath, relief and anxiety swirling within her.

The officers arrived, their presence a balm to Angela’s frayed nerves. They moved swiftly, their professionalism evident as they approached Room 112. Angela watched from a distance, her heart in her throat as they knocked on the door. She caught a glimpse of Daniel’s startled expression as he opened it, followed by the officers stepping inside.

Angela’s hands gripped the edge of the counter, her knuckles white with tension. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but she saw the girl being led out, her small figure dwarfed by the presence of the officers. The girl looked back once, her eyes meeting Angela’s through the window. In that fleeting gaze, Angela saw a flicker of gratitude—a silent acknowledgment that someone had noticed, someone had cared.

As the police escorted Daniel Harper out in handcuffs, Angela felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had done the right thing. The girl was safe now, and Angela knew she had made a difference. The Sun Valley Motel, with its flickering neon sign and worn-out carpets, had been a place of refuge for many. Tonight, it had been a place of rescue.