“She’s been through a lot. It’s going to take a long time. I know it’s difficult, but try to be patient and not expect too much too soon.”

“Did they... Do you know...”

“The Special Victims detectives will make sure she gets the medical care she needs.”

Deanna’s face crumpled as Sam all but confirmed her worst fears.

As tears rolled down Deanna’s face, Sam reached out to squeeze her hand. “She’s alive. That’s what matters most right now. You’ll figure out the rest one day at a time.”

“The other detective, Freddie. He said you knew something was off, and you got them out of there. I’ll never have the words to properly thank you for finding my daughter.”

Sam, who was fundamentally opposed to receiving affection from strangers, happily allowed herself to be hugged by the grateful mother. “I was just doing my job.”

“You did much more than that today, Lieutenant, and our family will be forever grateful to you. Our prayers have been answered.”

Sam patted Deanna’s back. “If there’s anything I can do for you over the next couple of months, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“Thank you again.” She stepped back and wiped her eyes. “I’d better get back to her.”

Sam nodded and watched her return to her daughter, who was sitting close to her father, holding his hand tightly. Ginger—or Sarah—had lost her tough outer shell since her parents arrived, and Sam was optimistic that she’d be able to tap into her inner toughness to repair her life.

“Lieutenant?”

Sam turned to find a detective she didn’t know waiting to speak with her. She was tall with sleek dark hair and model cheekbones. She took in the scene in the conference room, her eyes hard and uncompromising.

“I’m Detective Erica Lucas, SVU.”

Sam shook her hand. “Good to meet you.”

“Nice catch today, LT. You rescued those kids from a fucking nightmare.”

Sam liked her no-nonsense attitude. “Thanks. We’re ready to turn them over to you for the next steps in your end of the case.”

“We’re going to need to run rape kits and other unpleasant tests. Will they be able to handle that?”

“The dark-haired one is Sarah, but she was known as Ginger after she was abducted. She’s tough. The other one, who goes by Amber, is far more fragile. Sarah is her touchstone. You might want to keep them together as much as possible.”

“Good to know.”

“Amber’s mother is on her way from New York. She should be here in a couple of hours. I can get you her number so you can make her aware of your location when she arrives in town.”

“That’d be great. Thanks.”

“Take really good care of them, will you? They’re good kids who’ve been to hell and back.”