Detective Chen stood outside Maya Martinez’s apartment door at 6:47 AM on a Thursday morning, seven weeks after Andrea’s disappearance. Detective Mills was beside her. Two uniformed officers waited behind them.
Chen knocked. “Maya Martinez. Police. Open the door.”
There was movement inside. Footsteps. Then the door opened.
Maya looked worse than she had a week ago, which Chen hadn’t thought was possible. Her hair was greasy and uncombed. She wore the same clothes Chen had seen her in three days earlier. Dark circles hollowed out her eyes.
“What?” Maya’s voice was flat, defeated.
“Maya Martinez, you’re under arrest for child endangerment and child neglect in connection with the disappearance of Andrea Martinez.” Chen pulled out her handcuffs. “You have the right to remain silent—”
“Wh
