Chapter 7 - THEY STUDIED ME TOO
Michael had studied my temper.
My routines.
My old career.
He knew I had worked financial-crimes and protective investigations before I retired.
He knew I had once testified in organized-corruption cases.
He knew exactly what would happen if I walked into a room and saw my daughter hurt.
The memo predicted it.
COLLINS WILL CONFRONT.
COLLINS MAY BECOME PHYSICALLY AGGRESSIVE.
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE CAN BE CONTROLLED.
Emily stared at me.
“Easter was for you too.”
“Yes.”
Michael wanted witnesses who would call Emily unstable and me violent. If I struck him, Brooks could arrest me, leaving a neat story: unstable wife, dangerous father, concerned husband, protective mother-in-law.
I remembered Victoria pushing me on the steps.
Not anger.
Bait.
She wanted me to touch her.
I almost had.
The medical folder also named Clearwater Renewal Center, a private residential psychiatric facility owned through an investment company connected to Victoria.
Clearwater had already prepared an intake profile.
For Emily.
Admission date:
Easter Monday.
The next day.
Then forensic staff recovered an audio file from the hidden directory.
Michael’s voice.
Victoria’s voice.
Chief Brooks.
Recorded three nights before Easter.
Michael said:
“If Arthur swings first, the rest writes itself.”
Then Brooks answered:
“And if he doesn’t?”
May you like
Victoria laughed.
“Then I’ll make sure Emily does.”
