Officer Daniels’s partner stepped forward, holding a tablet. “We did some digging around Nathan’s property,” he said, scrolling through photos. “We found tracks and some feathers. Based on the prints and the description, it might be an exotic bird. Possibly an escaped pet.”

The pieces began to fit together. Nathan had recently mentioned a new neighbor who kept exotic animals. Could one have escaped and inadvertently frightened Emily? The thought was bizarre, yet strangely comforting. It meant Nathan was likely innocent.

“Can I see the drawing?” I asked, needing to reevaluate with this new perspective in mind.