She had preserved the security footage immediately after the confrontation and requested that the incident be independently reviewed.

Her supervisor had accused her of overstepping her authority.

Arthur could hear how hard she was trying not to cry.

“I’ve worked here seven years,” she said. “Seven years, Arthur. I’ve never had a disciplinary complaint.”

“You did the right thing.”

“Then why am I the one being investigated?”

Arthur was quiet.

He had asked that question himself more than once during his life.

Eventually, he said, “Doing the right thing doesn’t guarantee people will thank you for it.”

Emily exhaled.

“I copied the relevant document references into the incident report before my access was removed. The originals are still on the company’s system. Their lawyers can request them.”

“Good.”

“And Arthur?”

“Yes?”

“The charity’s storage rooms have been locked.”

Arthur sat upright.

“What?”

“All Red Door materials are now under a temporary operational hold.”

“Those are toys.”

“I know.”

“Winter coats.”

“I know.”

“Food.”

Emily’s voice broke.

“Arthur, I tried.”

He closed his eyes.

For the first time since Derek attacked him, Arthur felt something close to anger.

Real anger.

The kind that made his breathing change and tightened the muscles in his jaw.

But he didn’t raise his voice.

“Emily.”

“Yes?”

“Listen carefully.”

She went quiet.

“Nobody is going to make you feel ashamed for trying to protect children.”

He heard her begin to cry.

“And don’t delete anything.”

“I won’t.”

“Don’t argue with your supervisor. Don’t go back into systems you’re no longer authorized to use. Just preserve what you already have and speak to a lawyer.”

“Okay.”

“We’ll handle the rest properly.”

After the call, Arthur sat alone for a long time.

Then he took an old photograph from the shelf.

Ruth stood in front of the Red Door Christmas tree, laughing as two volunteers tried to carry an enormous stuffed bear through a doorway.

Arthur ran his thumb across the edge of the frame.

“They’re trying to take it away, Ruth,” he whispered.

The room was silent.

He set the photograph down.

Then he picked up his phone.