had.
“What cleaning products are used on this floor?”
Mrs. Bennett answered.
“Hypoallergenic products.”
“Brand?”
She listed them.
Maya asked:
“Any ozone generators?”
Thomas shook his head.
“Not indoors.”
“Air purifiers?”
“Yes.”
“In the rooms?”
“Yes.”
“What type?”
“High-end ionizing units.”
Maya stopped.
“Ionizing?”
Thomas nodded.
“Why?”
“For sterilization.”
My stomach tightened again.
Some ionizing devices could generate ozone.
Usually small amounts.
But in enclosed spaces, combined with fragrance compounds, chemistry could become complicated.
Maya walked into the boys’ rooms.
Each had a sleek white purifier near the window.
She turned one over.
Read the plate.
Then frowned.
“These have an ozone mode.”
Thomas stared.
“They’re supposed to be locked to filter-only.”
“Who set them up?”
“Vendor.”
“Which?”
“Same air-quality company.”
Nathan looked at the ceiling as if trying not to explode.
Maya continued.
“Do not assume anything.”
She looked directly at him.
“I mean it.”
He nodded.
Good.
“We
