Chapter 7 - A Door Without a Handle
By morning, Moreno had confirmed Rosa was alive. She had found shelter with a cousin after Nolan drove her home and warned her to stay out of "family business." She was afraid of losing her job and her immigration paperwork, though she had a valid work authorization. Nolan had counted on her fear more than on any actual power he held.
Clara asked if Rosa could meet with an attorney before giving another interview. It was a practical suggestion. I was ashamed I hadn't thought of it. Priya found Rosa independent legal counsel, and Moreno arranged a private statement.
Meanwhile, Clara's friend Nina let me leave a bag of Emma's clothes on the porch. Clara came to the door but kept the screen between us. Her wrist was bandaged. A bruise had deepened along her cheekbone.
"The police may ask you to identify Vanessa," I said.
"I already did. They asked me questions because I was there. You were there too, Adrian. You just chose the wrong story."
I swallowed. "I did. I hit you. I'm not going to ask you to forgive it. I'm taking responsibility and getting help."
"Good," she said. "Do that whether we ever come back together or not."
Behind her, Olivia stood in the hallway holding Emma. My daughter had stopped calling me Dad in her texts. She used my first name, and every message felt earned.
Clara hesitated, then asked, "Did you look into Haven House?"
"Priya is bringing in an auditor."
"I visited last Tuesday. There were families waiting outside a building the foundation reported as fully renovated. A mother told me the heat hadn't worked for weeks. Vanessa said the families were lying."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
May you like
She looked at the bruise on her reflection in the screen. "I did. Twice."
Before I could answer, her phone rang. Nina picked up, listened, and turned pale. "Clara? It's the Haven House supervisor. Someone's locked the families out. The children are standing in the rain."
