That evening, Rose visited the garage without Nora. She wanted to see the place herself before deciding when her daughter could return. Miller walked her through the new storage arrangement, showed her the improved lighting, and explained how deliveries would be received. He did not pretend that a new lock could guarantee safety. He told her the police investigation was ongoing and that her decision about Nora's routine would be respected.
Rose stood beside the booth and touched the upside-down flower, now corrected on the wall. "She talks about you all the time," she said. Miller smiled faintly. "Mostly correcting me, I imagine." Rose nodded, but her expression stayed serious.
"I need you to promise me something," she said. "If she ever tells you something frightening again, you'll listen without making her responsible for what happens afterward." Miller looked at the storage door and thought about how close they had all come to opening it without a question. "I promise," he said.
Rose studied him long enough to believe he understood the promise's full weight. Then she asked whether the garage might consider offering an after-school program with more formal supervision if the club expanded. Miller had been thinking the same thing but had not known whether it was his place to suggest it. They stood by the booth discussing practical possibilities until the last customer left and the overhead lights were turned down for the evening.
The case took its clearest turn on the following Monday. Ruiz called Miller before breakfast and told him that investigators had obtained a search warrant for the records of Denny Ross's brokerage and the company used to pay Rusk and Keene. She could not describe the evidence before the search was complete, but she wanted Miller prepared for the possibility that local reporters would contact him. The operation would be conducted by law enforcement, and the Steel Vultures were not to go anywhere near it.
Miller called an early club meeting. He explained what he knew, which was not much, and repeated the instruction that nobody should ride to Denny's office or appear at the search site. Jojo looked ready to object until he saw the seriousness in Miller's face. "We can't keep them safe if we're busy helping our enemy write the story," Miller said.
Walsh and Jojo stayed at the garage while Lucas drove to County General to check on Rose. He did not tell her details the police had not released. He simply said the investigation was moving and asked whether Nora had slept. Rose said better, though the child still wanted the hallway light left on and asked twice each morning which adult would be collecting her after school.
Lucas told her that those questions made sense. In the week since the incident, he had begun to understand how deeply a child could be shaken without looking frightened in public. Nora's composure at the garage had impressed the adults, but it had never been proof that the experience did not hurt her. Rose appreciated that Lucas no longer used the word brave as a substitute for asking how her daughter was feeling.