Chapter 10
Mason did not defend himself.
That frightened Daniel more than denial would have.
"I deleted files," Mason said.
Grace stood. "Which files?"
"Footage Vanessa told me was private."
Daniel stepped closer.
"You said that already."
"There was more."
Mason took off his security badge and set it on the desk.
"Three months ago, Vanessa asked me to remove clips of Lily having tantrums. She said the custody case was over and keeping them was inappropriate."
"Did you watch them?"
"One."
"What did you see?"
Mason swallowed.
"Vanessa standing behind the camera telling Lily when to cry."
Grace made a sound like she had been hit.
Daniel's voice dropped.
"And you deleted it?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because Mrs. Cole said you had approved it."
Daniel turned away.
He could barely breathe.
Mason continued.
"I made a mistake. But the system creates weekly maintenance images. I never thought about them until last night."
"Where?"
"Off-site diagnostic server."
Within two hours, police obtained access.
The old footage was grainy, silent, and devastating.
Vanessa sat Lily in a chair.
She pointed toward the camera.
Lily shook her head.
Vanessa leaned down close to her face.
Lily began crying.
Then Vanessa started the recording on her phone.
Daniel remembered receiving that clip.
Lily had said, "I don't want Mommy."
He had believed it.
Grace watched the screen without moving.
"I lost six months with my daughter because of that video."
Daniel whispered, "I know."
"No, Daniel. You know it now."
He had no defense.
Ruiz arrived with another update.
Digital forensics had examined the first recorder.
The threatening line in the hallway was authentic.
So was the pool recording.
But the disposable phone outside contained something else.
A draft message.
It had never been sent.
GRACE BROKE IN. SHE HAS A WEAPON. LILY IS IN DANGER.
The message was addressed to Daniel.
Scheduled for 7:24 p.m.
Four minutes after Grace was told to enter.
Daniel stared at the screen.
Vanessa had planned the story before Grace even arrived.
Ruiz closed the evidence folder.
"We are moving from a family dispute to a coordinated setup."
Daniel asked, "Coordinated with who?"
Ruiz looked toward the recovered access logs.
"We have a warrant for Dr. Mercer."
Then her phone rang.
She listened.
Her face hardened.
May you like
"Too late."
Mercer was gone.
