Chapter 5 - The Man Holding the Camera
Nolan Cress had a polished website and a talent for making other people's misery look inspirational. His company offered videos for fundraising campaigns, neighborhood charities, and families needing "a voice." Children stared into the camera while adults spoke for them.
I wanted to drive to his office. Detective Valdez told me to leave the investigation to people who could obtain the records lawfully. My lawyer, Anita Powell, told me the same thing with fewer gentle words.
"Your children need a parent, not a headline," she said. "Don't give this man a scene he can sell."
I sat outside Tommy's room and watched my work phone light up. My supervisor had received the abandonment video from a client. I was being placed on leave while the company investigated the publicity. Staged images could cost me the income that paid our mortgage.
"I can send them the hospital report," I said.
"Not without thinking about your kids' privacy," Anita replied. "We'll respond with the facts that are appropriate to share."
Carmen Lee, the hospital social worker, explained that the children would need a safety plan before discharge. Tessa was willing to stay, and I could work from home for now. They would also need an assessment by a child advocacy interviewer so Lily wouldn't have to repeat painful details to every adult who walked in.
At lunchtime, Mara called again. This time I answered.
"Are they alive?" she asked.
I closed my eyes. "Tommy's in the hospital. Lily's with him. Where are you?"
A long pause. "Nolan said you would make it sound worse than it was."
"Were you the one who left them alone?"
"I went to fix something. I thought I'd be back."
"Lily was dragging her brother because he couldn't walk."
Mara made a sound that might have been a sob. "He wasn't supposed to be that sick."
"You don't get to decide how sick a child is by what looks good on camera."
"Evan, if Nolan has the last files, he can ruin us."
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The line went dead. Seconds later, my phone received a video thumbnail: me standing in our kitchen, face twisted with anger, a child crying somewhere offscreen.
The message beneath it read: PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOUR WIFE DIDN'T TELL YOU.
