Chapter 10 - VICTORIA’S POLICE REPORT
Victoria filed a second police report.
She accused Daniel of using Noah to steal private recordings.
She accused the school counselor of interfering with parental rights.
She accused the bank of unlawfully freezing family funds.
Each accusation created confusion.
But the memory card simplified one part.
Victoria’s voice was unmistakable.
A man asked:
“Did Ryan sign the trust transfer?”
“Not yet.”
“And Daniel?”
“After tonight, his father won’t be here to stop him.”
The man was identified as Julian Mercer.
He managed several Carter family investments.
Daniel had recently questioned his handling of Noah’s trust.
Julian denied wrongdoing.
He claimed the conversation concerned a legitimate restructuring.
Police asked why Daniel needed to be removed.
Julian stopped answering.
Ryan listened to the file.
Victoria sat beside him.
“You heard part of a business conversation.”
“You said Dad had to be gone.”
“He was disrupting the transfer.”
“You staged an assault the same evening.”
“I did not.”
“The camera was disabled from your account.”
“Daniel knows my password.”
“You tore your blouse on the door.”
“He pushed me.”
Ryan placed his hands over his face.
Victoria touched his shoulder.
He moved away.
That movement frightened her more than shouting.
Noah stayed temporarily with Daniel under a child-services agreement.
Ryan visited every evening.
The first visit was awkward.
Daniel opened the door.
Neither man knew how to begin.
Noah sat in the living room with a chessboard.
Ryan approached him.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the recording?”
“I tried to tell you she lied.”
“That wasn’t what I asked.”
Noah lowered his eyes.
Daniel intervened.
“He answered the important question.”
Ryan looked at his father.
“I came to see my son.”
“Then see him.”
Daniel left the room.
Ryan sat opposite Noah.
“Do you think Mom stole your money?”
“I heard her.”
“Do you think she attacked Grandpa?”
“No.”
“You didn’t see everything.”
“I saw more than you.”
Again, the sentence.
This time, Ryan did not reject it.
“What did I miss?”
Noah described Victoria rehearsing her scream.
Messing her hair.
Tearing the silk.
Slapping her cheek.
Waiting beside the window until Ryan’s car turned into the driveway.
Ryan listened without interruption.
When Noah finished, he asked:
“Why did Mom want Grandpa gone?”
May you like
Noah pointed toward the chessboard.
“Because he was the only piece she couldn’t move.”
