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But the air in the room suddenly shifted. The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.<\/p>\n
I turned to look at Daniel. He wasn\u2019t smiling. He wasn\u2019t offering the teddy bear. He was staring at the infant with an expression of pure, unadulterated horror. His pupils were blown wide, swallowing the blue of his irises. His breath hitched in his throat, a wet, rattling sound.<\/p>\n
That was when he grabbed me.<\/p>\n
Now, standing in the hallway, the 911 operator was asking for my emergency.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026 I don\u2019t know,\u201d I stammered into the phone, looking at Daniel. \u201cMy husband told me to call. We\u2019re at St. Mary\u2019s. He says\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel grabbed the phone from my hand. \u201cThis is Daniel Carter. I\u2019m a private security contractor for the county. I need officers at the maternity ward immediately. Possible abduction. Possible\u2026 homicide.\u201d<\/p>\n
He hung up and shoved the phone back at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHomicide?\u201d I whispered, my blood turning to ice. \u201cDaniel, that is a living baby in there.\u201d<\/p>\n
He dragged a hand down his face, wiping away cold sweat. He looked around to ensure the hallway was empty, then leaned in close, his voice barely audible.<\/p>\n
\u201cI recognized him, Emily. The hair. The eyes. The specific, crescent-shaped scar above the left eyebrow.\u201d<\/p>\n