The next week, the board agreed to let Juniper remain at Bellwether under temporary supervision.
It was a narrow win. The state inspector required daily weight checks, a second staff member for every feeding, and a complete review of our intake records. Mae signed the order without asking for changes.
"Until the review is done, nobody handles Juniper alone," she told me.
"I understand."
"Good. The board wants an update by Friday."
"About the investigation?"
"About everything."
I was learning that a deadline could be a threat even when it wore a neutral face.
Liam's work account remained in the board's hands. His personal accounts did not. I hadn't asked him for anything else, but I knew he still had the number of the former employee who'd called him about Juniper.
On Wednesday, I
