The emergency dispatcher answered the call immediately on the speakerphone connection.
David gave his home address clearly while keeping his eyes fixed locked onto Helen.
David: I need police and medical help at my residence immediately.
Dispatcher: Sir, what is the nature of your emergency tonight?
David: My missing child was found trapped inside a hidden space in my house.
Dispatcher: Officers are being dispatched to your location right now, sir.
Helen sank down onto the hallway bench, burying her face in her trembling hands.
Maya held onto David's shirt, burying her small face safely into his shoulder.
David walked into the living room and placed Maya gently on the soft leather sofa.
Lily immediately walked over and placed her turkey sandwich on the table for Maya.
Lily: Here, Maya, you can eat my sandwich now.
Maya: Thank you, Lily.
David looked down at his two daughters together, feeling a wave of deep emotion.
He turned back to face Helen, who was sitting quietly in the hallway entrance.
David: Why did you do this terrible thing to an innocent little girl, Helen?
Helen: Your late uncle left his millions entirely to Maya in his will.
David: What does an inheritance have to do with keeping her hidden away?
Helen: If Maya was legally declared gone, the entire estate passed to you and me!
David: I never cared about my uncle's money or estate settlements, Helen!
Helen: But I cared! I wanted us to have everything we ever dreamed of having!
David looked at his wife with complete disgust as the truth finally became clear.
When Maya had wandered off three years ago, Helen had found her nearby first.
Instead of bringing the child home, Helen had hidden her away to secure control over the wealth.
She had built the hidden space under the guise of home renovations two years prior.
She kept Maya trapped, feeding her in secret while pretending to be a loving stepmother.
David: You traded my daughter's freedom for a trust fund and a mansion.
Helen: I kept her fed and alive, David! I never hurt her!
David: Keeping a child in a box under floorboards is hurting her, Helen!
Flashing red and blue lights suddenly illuminated the front windows of the living room.
The sound of sirens echoed down the quiet street as police cruisers pulled into the driveway.
David walked to the front door and opened it wide for the responding police officers.