Melinda’s POV
The adoption listing was anonymous.
Just a case number.
A birth year.
A sealed placement file.
But there was a notation at the bottom.
A request to reopen.
Made exactly 31 days ago.
Flagged: “Pending further review.”
Normally, I wouldn’t have had access. But I knew someone — a woman who worked for a private placement nonprofit I’d partnered with through the Initiative. Someone who owed me a favor.
When I called her, I kept it brief.
“I’m not asking you to break any laws,” I said.
She paused.
“But?”
“I’m asking you to help me protect a child who may not know they’re in danger.”
Five hours later, she called me back.
“I found the firm that filed the inquiry,” she said. “It was flagged for legal override. Which means it wasn’t filed by a birth parent or blood rela
