Chapter 9 - The Complaint
Graham wanted to slam the door.
He opened it instead.
If Sloane wanted him to look unstable, anger was exactly what she needed.
The investigators introduced themselves and explained that an emergency report alleged emotional abuse, unsafe medication storage, and threats toward Maisie.
"The complaint included video," one said.
"Edited video," Graham replied.
Maisie appeared at the top of the stairs holding Clover.
"Are you taking me away?"
The question nearly destroyed him.
The investigator softened. "No, sweetheart. We're here to make sure you're safe."
For three hours, they inspected the home, interviewed June and Ava, checked Maisie's prescriptions, and reviewed the unedited nursery footage.
The full video Sloane had clipped showed Graham raising his voice because Maisie was trying to climb a bookcase.
He shouted, "Get down now!"
Then he caught her when she slipped and held her while both of them cried.
The investigator closed her notebook.
"Context matters."
Graham exhaled for what felt like the first time all day.
Then June remembered another camera.
A motion sensor in the rear hall had captured Sloane bringing someone into the house ten days earlier.
The man wore a baseball cap, but when he turned, Graham recognized him.
Nolan.
He carried a medical bag.
Sloane carried a folder.
They entered Graham's office for nineteen minutes.
When they left, Nolan said something the camera barely caught.
Sam amplified the audio.
"The champagne handles the husband. The center handles the kid."
Graham looked at Ruiz.
"Champagne?"
Ava's eyes widened.
May you like
At the wedding venue, a crystal flute still sat untouched at the head table.
It had been labeled GROOM.
