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And why had they chosen me?
I called the non-emergency police line and explained what I had found.
An officer came to my house that afternoon.
I showed him the photograph and the note.
He studied the picture.
“Do you know these children?”
“They live next door.”
“Do you know their mother?”
“Only casually.”
The officer looked at the address on the paper.
“Do you recognize this man?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
He took a photograph of the picture.
Then he asked something that made my stomach tighten.
“Have you ever seen the children talking to an older man?”
“No.”
“Have you ever seen them leave with anyone?”
“No.”
He nodded.
“We’ll look into it.”
The next morning, I heard a knock.
It was the older sister.
She stood on my porch alone.
Her eyes were red.
“I know you found it.”
I didn’t pretend otherwise.
“Yes.”
She looked frightened.
“Please don’t tell my mom.”
“I won’t do anything without understanding what’s happening.”
She hesitated.
Then she whispered:
“That’s our grandfather.”
“The man in the picture?”
She nodded.
“He used to live with us.”
“What happened?”
She looked down.
“Mom says he’s sick and doesn’t want anyone bothering him.”
“But you don’t believe her?”
The girl shook her head….