Page 71 of Kill Me Sweetly

“Well, hello there. I’m Clark, what’s your name?”

“Esmerelda.”

Why the hell would someone do that to a child?

“Oh wow, that’s some name.”

She blinked but didn’t say anything after that. I glanced at Mason, and he was talking to an older girl and seemed to be having better luck. I kneeled so I was at her height.

“Do you like it here?”

“Yes,” she answered so quickly as if the thought weren’t her own but rehearsed.

“What are your favorite things about Alicia House?”

Her nose scrunched up adorably while she thought. “I like spaghetti night and art.”

“Those are two amazing things.”

Penny walked past us, and Esmerelda visibly twitched. I waited for Penny to get farther away before whispering to the girl.

“What do you hate about it here?”

The girl beside her shook her head, and I knew she was warning Esmerelda not to speak. But the girl was wavering.

“Know what I didn’t like as a kid?”

She waited for me to continue.

“Whenever I got in trouble. I’d get punished. Do you get punished here?”

She opened her mouth to say something, but the girl beside her squeezed her hand. I focused on her.

“What’s your name?”

“Jennifer.” Oh, a normal name. She must have been a favorite.

“Hi, Jennifer. Can I ask why it is Esmerelda can’t answer me?”

“Rules,” was all she said.

My eyes met Mason’s from across the room and thanks to best friend power, he understood. This was not a haven for children; it was a nightmare.

Welp, in for a penny in for a pound.I stood and marched over to Penny.

“Just what kind of place are you running here where little girls are afraid to answer questions about what they dislike about a place? These children—and that’s what they are—shudder when you walk by. They flinched when I asked what they hated. Explain to me these rules.”

“I think you’ve outstayed your welcome.” Penny glared at me.

“This place is in no way safe for children.” I pulled out my phone.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” she snapped.

“Calling children’s services, of course. These girls are obvious victims of emotional and probably verbal abuse.”

“I beg your pardon!” She went to grab my phone, but I was faster.

“An investigation must be performed.”

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