Chapter 14 - The Camera That Remembered

A digital evidence technician hired through Priya exported the dining-room recordings from the account Aunt June legally controlled. He documented the date, time, file hashes, and each person who handled the copy. I didn't understand every technical term. I understood the video.
Robert positioned the camera behind the family photograph before the meal began. He checked its angle twice. Later, David entered the room alone.
āYou won't have to hit her,ā Robert told him. āJust make her react. I'll handle the rest.ā
āShe's my wife.ā
āThen do what I say before she destroys your mother.ā
When the family returned, Robert produced the belt. David hesitated. I could hear myself asking him to put it down. Then came the swing, my defensive movement, and the buckle striking wood.
After I'd stepped away, Robert turned toward the camera and said, almost cheerfully, āPerfect.ā
The footage didn't end there. With everyone arguing in the foyer, Robert stayed behind and made a phone call.
āThe clip's clean,ā he said. āSend it to the board first. Once they sideline her, have Southgate clear the property Friday.ā
My skin went cold, though I was sitting in a warm office.
Aunt June covered her mouth. āI thought he was just cruel. I didn't know he was planning all of this.ā
Priya immediately contacted the investigator handling the grant complaint and arranged to transfer verified copies. She warned me not to post the footage myself; it contained family members who'd never consented to becoming internet entertainment.
The investigator called back within an hour.
āWe're moving quickly,ā she said, ābut I need to know whether the residents have been warned about Friday.ā
May you like
āSome have,ā Keisha replied from beside me. āNot all.ā
The investigator paused. āThen tonight, safety comes before the hearing.ā