Chapter 4 - THE FIRST LIE
Madison called the police department before Michael finished cleaning the blood from Ethan’s lip.
She reported that an armed officer had intimidated her family.
She claimed Michael used his position to prevent the arrest of a violent child.
She never mentioned raising her hand toward Ethan.
Grant contacted Captain Helen Ward directly.
His construction company had donated money to the department’s youth program.
By sunset, Michael received an order to surrender his body camera and dashcam recordings.
He complied.
Rebecca sat beside Ethan at the kitchen table.
A cold compress rested against his face.
He would not look at her.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Ethan stared at the worn soccer ball near the doorway.
“You didn’t believe me.”
“I saw Ava’s face, and I panicked.”
“You believed her mom.”
Rebecca reached for his hand.
He pulled it away.
“You hit me because she told you to.”
The truth silenced her.
Michael entered the kitchen.
“The department is opening an investigation.”
Rebecca stood.
“Against Madison?”
“Against me.”
Ethan finally looked up.
“You stopped her.”
“That is not the story she told.”
Michael sat beside him.
“Do you remember exactly what happened?”
Ethan described his kick.
The sprinkler.
The ball changing direction.
His apology.
Madison calling him a liar.
Rebecca striking him.
He did not exaggerate.
That made the account more painful.
“What happened before the ball hit Ava?” Michael asked.
Ethan thought carefully.
“Ava was standing near the gate.”
“Was she walking past?”
“No.”
“She and her mom stopped.”
“Why?”
Ethan looked toward the window.
“I think Ava was filming us.”
Across the street, the Collins mansion’s security cameras faced the garden.
One was mounted above the garage.
Another stood near the front door.
A third camera covered the white fence.
Michael went outside.
Madison watched him from an upstairs window.
He did not enter her property.
He photographed the camera positions from the public sidewalk.
One camera pointed directly toward the sprinkler.
It would have captured the entire accident.
Grant stepped from the mansion.
“What are you doing?”
“Documenting potential evidence.”
“That system belongs to us.”
“The footage may show whether the ball bounced.”
Grant smiled without warmth.
“The camera was not working today.”
Michael looked at the small green light beneath its lens.
It was working now.
Grant walked closer.
“You should worry less about my camera and more about your badge.”
Inside the mansion, Madison opened the security application on her phone.
May you like
She selected the recording from 4:17 p.m.
Then she pressed Delete.
