Chapter 9 - The Worst Day of His Life
Daniel remembered the video.
Rachel’s funeral had been that morning.
He came home.
Locked himself in the office.
Threw a file against the wall.
Vanessa had apparently entered later and taken the security clip.
Now it was evidence of a “violent temper.”
Rachel Kim watched the full recording.
Daniel never touched anyone.
Never threatened anyone.
Never knew he was being saved for future use.
The edited version began with the file hitting the wall.
Ended before he collapsed into the chair.
Then Vanessa’s second phone revealed texts with Eric Sterling.
Eric:
Vanessa:
Eric:
Daniel angry. Child unstable. Evelyn absent.
Vanessa:
Daniel looked at Maria.
Remove everyone who could protect Lily.
Then another message:
Vanessa:
When Lily is placed, trust can reimburse Pine Hollow directly.
Eric:
First quarter alone is enough.
Vanessa:
Eric:
If she stays ninety days, we’re set.
Pine Hollow would bill more than a quarter million dollars.
Lily’s suffering had a price list.
“Do not do anything stupid.”
“I’m sitting.”
“Good.”
Then the police detective asked if Daniel knew a man named Steven Crowe.
Steven handled “family logistics.”
A background check showed private investigator.
He had photographed Daniel’s house.
Taken pictures of Maria leaving work.
The second phone included one of Lily at preschool.
Daniel’s face hardened.
“They watched my daughter?”
The detective corrected him.
“They documented her environment.”
Then Steven Crowe was located.
He claimed he thought the job involved a custody dispute.
Vanessa told him Daniel was dangerous.
She asked him to document absences.
Evelyn laughed when she heard that.
“I own a wine shop.”
The photo was her unloading inventory.
Another lie built from a fact.
Crowe handed over his original photographs.
One image showed Vanessa meeting Dr. Sloan.
Another showed Eric Sterling entering Pine Hollow.
Then one showed something no one expected.
Vanessa outside Lily’s mother’s old storage unit.
The date was six months earlier.
“What storage unit?”
He had closed Rachel’s unit after her death.
Or thought he had.
The account was still active.
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By Vanessa.
