Chapter 5 - DAD SAID YOU WANTED THIS
Daniel reached the backyard as the gate slammed shut.
The man disappeared into a black vehicle.
Noah was not with him.
Daniel found his son hiding beneath the guest-room bed.
A stone had been thrown through the window.
Wrapped around it was a note.
THE BOY DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE SAW.
Daniel called police.
Claire claimed the note proved Noah had created dangerous problems.
Daniel looked at her in disbelief.
“Someone threw a stone into his bedroom.”
“Because he went through private documents.”
“He is ten.”
“He knew what he was doing.”
Noah heard them from the hallway.
“He said I should mind my business.”
Daniel turned.
“Who?”
“The man at the gate.”
“When did you see him?”
“Last week.”
Noah had gone downstairs for water after midnight.
Claire stood in the kitchen with a man wearing a gray work jacket.
Boxes of invoices covered the table.
Noah recognized Daniel’s electronic signature.
The man saw him.
Claire sent Noah upstairs.
The next morning, she accused him of stealing her phone.
He denied it.
She played Daniel’s voicemail.
Do whatever is necessary.
Then she wheeled the old doghouse from behind the shed.
Daniel remembered the doghouse remaining near the fence.
He had seen it during video calls.
He never asked why it moved closer to the house.
“What did she tell you?” he asked.
Noah’s eyes stayed on the floor.
“That you were tired of my behavior.”
“What behavior?”
“Lying. Spying. Making her unhappy.”
Daniel sat beside him.
“I never told her to put you outside.”
Noah looked at him for the first time without immediately turning away.
“But you told her to do whatever was necessary.”
“I was talking about helping with homework.”
“She said you knew.”
“I didn’t.”
“Would you have believed me?”
Daniel wanted to answer instantly.
The word yes reached his lips.
Then he remembered earlier complaints.
Claire said Noah broke a vase.
Daniel made him apologize.
Claire said Noah stole cash.
Daniel removed his game console.
Claire said Noah needed stricter rules.
Daniel agreed.
He had repeatedly trusted the adult who presented information calmly.
“I don’t know,” he admitted.
Noah’s face fell.
Daniel continued.
“But I should have made certain you knew you could tell me.”
Outside, police examined the security light above the doghouse.
It contained a motion camera.
Claire claimed the camera had been broken for months.
A small green indicator flashed beneath it.
May you like
The device was not broken.
Someone had deleted its recordings forty minutes before Daniel arrived.
