Andrew nodded, scribbled his name, and handed it back. “They want to talk to you,” the officer added, tipping his head toward the cruiser behind him. “Just for a minute.” Andrew’s stomach flipped. He turned—and saw the two girls stepping out of the back of a police SUV.
The tote girl walked slowly, her sister behind her, hugging herself. They stopped in front of him, faces pale and drawn, but no longer afraid. “I’m Ivy,” the tote girl said quietly. “And this is Riley.” Andrew offered a faint smile. “Andrew.”
There was a long pause. Ivy shifted the bag on her shoulder, then reached into it. “We wanted to say thank you,” she said. “You didn’t have to do anything. But you did. You noticed.” Andrew shook his head. “Anyone would have—”
“No,” Riley interrupted. “No, they wouldn’t. We tried to tell a store clerk before. He just shrugged. We even walked past a security guard at the bus station. He didn’t even look at us. You… you saw us.”