Chapter 6 - The Visit
Daniel let the investigator in.
Her name was Tessa Moreno.
She was calm.
Professional.
Not the enemy.
Daniel reminded himself of that.
Tessa asked to see the home.
Food.
Bedrooms.
School records.
Medication.
She spoke to Daniel.
Then the children.
Separately.
Daniel did not coach them.
When Tessa returned, she looked serious.
“The report alleges intoxication, emotional instability, and unsafe discipline.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“Unsafe discipline by me?”
“Yes.”
Susan sat beside him.
“We have evidence the reporting party may be manufacturing claims.”
Tessa nodded.
“I’ll review it.”
Daniel showed the notebook.
The forged note.
The hidden folder.
Tessa listened.
Then asked, “Where is Rachel now?”
“Hotel, I think.”
“Has she contacted the children?”
“No.”
Daniel exhaled.
That was the first official sentence all day that made him feel less helpless.
Tessa asked to see the staircase.
Emma stood nearby.
“Aunt Rachel made me sit there.”
“When?”
“Lots.”
Daniel looked at Tessa.
She crouched.
“What happened when you sat there?”
Emma shrugged.
“How long?”
Daniel felt cold.
Or hours.
Megan had warned everyone not to force time concepts on a four-year-old.
So Tessa did not.
At the end of the visit, she said the children would remain with Daniel while the investigation continued.
Daniel nearly collapsed from relief.
Then she added, “But there is something you should know.”
“What?”
“The emergency report included a signed statement from a neighbor.”
“Which neighbor?”
Daniel stared.
“She signed a statement against me?”
Tessa nodded.
“She says she heard frequent screaming from your house.”
Daniel looked toward the shared fence.
Maybe she had.
But whose screaming?
“I’m sorry.”
Daniel’s anger disappeared.
“What happened?”
“Rachel brought me a statement.”
“Did you read it?”
“Not all of it.”
“Why did you sign?”
Evelyn covered her mouth.
“Because she told me you had hit Noah.”
Daniel went still.
May you like
Then Evelyn whispered:
“And she showed me a video.”
