Chapter 11 - The Camera Behind the Kitchen
Peter sent me the catering supervisor's number. Her name was Dana Walsh, and her company had installed a temporary camera in the delivery corridor after losing expensive equipment at an event.
"It points toward the glass pool doors," Peter told me. "I saw the setup yesterday. I don't know what it caught."
"Why are you telling me now?"
"Because I heard your daughter say she was afraid. And because I have a son."
"You also signed those invoices."
"I know."
Dana was packing her equipment when I arrived. I told her what had happened and asked her not to erase anything. She called Detective Shah herself. Within an hour, the three of us sat in the corridor office watching an unbroken recording.
The picture was distant but clear enough. Vivian opened the service gate. Lily hesitated. Vivian bent toward her, pointed at the blue doors, then stepped aside. Lily passed through. Vivian pulled the gate after her, but the black wedge stopped the latch from catching.
Lily walked toward the pool and bent for a yellow duck floating against the edge. One sneaker slid on the wet surface. She disappeared below the waterline.
Vivian turned. She saw her fall. Then she stood still.
Nora ran into view from the opposite doorway, jumped into the pool fully dressed, and brought Lily up against her shoulder. Seconds later, Vivian hurried toward them, already pointing at Nora.
I had stood in that same place and believed the person who pointed.
Detective Shah stopped the recording. "We'll preserve the original and interview everyone shown. Do not publish footage of your daughter."
I nodded. My hands were shaking too badly to reach for my keys.
"Mr. Hart," she added, "did you know the gate repair had already been paid for?"
May you like
"No."
"Then we have a second problem. Someone billed your charity for work that was never done."
