Angelica looked horrified.

"W-Why c-can’t I go h-home?" She asked in alarm, fresh tears formed in her eyes and ran down her small cheeks…

Dylan reached out and took Angie’s hands in her own.

"Sweetheart, you can’t go home because there isn’t anybody there to take care of you…"

"B-But I w-want to go home!!! – I w-want my m-mommy!!! – I d-don’t want to go with st-strangers!!" Angelica stated, showing a little defiance for the first time all night…

"I know you don’t honey, but it’s only for a few days. Just until we get this mess sorted out" Moorland said, feeling so sorry for this poor little girl.

Angie started to really sob…Dylan did her best to comfort the youngster…

Angus went to speak to his team to see if they could trace any relatives who could possibly take the child after tonight…Parson’s hated having to place any child into care…

The policeman shrugged as he recalled his own time spent there…He didn’t want this obviously naïve and innocent child in that horrid facility for any longer than necessary…

30 minutes later

Angie put her burger wrappers in the trash, Just as a woman from Social Services came in

Angus walked over to her, introduced himself, and they both walked back over to Dylan and Angie.

Dylan stood up, and Angus made the introductions.

"Detective Dylan Moorland, this is Maria Alonso, from child Social Services."

The two women shook hands.

"And this must be Angelica?" Maria said, kneeling down to Angie’s level…

Angelica just stared at her.

Maria had seen this look before…In fact, Maria had seen almost everything before…

She smiled and reached out for Angie’s hand. Maria had a warm smile, and a big heart, which was why this job was so difficult for her…She wanted to save all the children she took charge of…

Angie looked at the offered hand, then looked up at Detective Moorland who nodded her head and smiled.

With tears spilling down her cheeks, she placed her trembling little hand in Maria’s…She stood up, visibly shaking, and she and Maria started walking towards the door…

Just before they stepped outside, Angie turned and looked back at Dylan…

And the look in Angie’s eyes made Dylan’s breath catch in her throat.

It was a look of utter defeat and innocence lost forever.

She turned back around, and then they were gone.

Dylan turned on Angus then.

"You know, there are parts of this job that are bad, then there are parts that are completely horrible… At times like these, the guilt I feel is indescribable!…I hope we manage to put that monster away"

“You know the script Moorland…Unless either the kid, her mother or some other witness speaks up, there is jack shit we can do!…Unfortunately our hands are tied…”

“I know…But it’s so fucking frustrating Angus!!…I mean that poor kid!…She won’t survive in one of those homes..She’ll be eaten alive!! -And you know it!!”

Angus just nodded grimly..

As Dylan walked away, a rookie walked up to Angus and handed him a piece of paper. He read the message and looked up at his partner who was nearly at the door…

"Hey Moorland," He shouted.

Dylan stopped in her tracks, she turned around and looked at her partner…

"What?" She said wearily.

"It’s Angelica’s mother…She’s awake" Angus replied.