Chapter 13 - BEFORE THE BABY
The recordings destroyed Evelyn’s favorite lie.
She had claimed everything began after Sophie was born.
But six months earlier, she had already been recording private conversations with Hannah.
Some were captured during family dinners.
Some during car rides.
One came from inside Lucas and Hannah’s bedroom.
Hannah listened to thirty seconds before ripping off the headphones.
“How did she record us in our bedroom?”
A search of the old guest room revealed a tiny voice recorder hidden inside a decorative clock Evelyn had given them as an anniversary gift.
Lucas stared at it in disbelief.
“That was there for a year.”
Priya’s expression hardened. “This supports premeditation.”
The recordings also showed something else.
Evelyn had been collecting harmless sentences and labeling them for future use.
Hannah saying, “I’m exhausted.”
Hannah joking, “Some days I want to disappear.”
Hannah saying after a long shift, “I can’t do this forever.”
Ordinary words.
Removed from ordinary context.
One file contained Evelyn practicing edits with Warren.
Warren’s voice said, “If you cut before she laughs, it sounds serious.”
Evelyn replied, “Exactly.”
Lucas leaned back in his chair.
Priya immediately sent the file to investigators.
By sunset, Warren Pike had retained a criminal attorney.
By morning, Dr. Sloan’s hospital privileges were under review.
The emergency guardianship petition was withdrawn.
For the first time, Hannah exhaled without looking over her shoulder.
Then Priya received a call.
Her face changed as she listened.
“What?” Lucas asked.
She ended the call.
“Martin Dale has been fired from the Mercer Foundation.”
Lucas stood. “By who?”
“Your mother still controls enough board votes to remove him temporarily.”
“From jail?”
“She made the motion before her arrest. Warren delivered the paperwork.”
Priya turned her laptop around.
A board meeting had been scheduled for Friday.
May you like
Agenda Item One:
Remove Lucas Mercer as acting foundation chair.
