Chapter 16 - WHY HE GAVE UP
Jason's new lawyer explained.
He was relinquishing his custody claim in exchange for the court postponing a ruling on termination of parental decision-making rights.
It sounded like surrender.
It wasn't.
He wanted time.
Time for the criminal case to weaken.
Time for witnesses to change.
Time for Lily to get older and for everyone to call what happened "the past."
Naomi objected.
"My client and this child have lived under manufactured allegations for years. Delay rewards the person who created the danger."
The judge agreed to proceed with evidence.
For two days, witnesses testified.
Dr. Howard described Lily's injury.
The digital-forensics expert explained the altered airport photograph and fabricated audio.
Eric described Noah's case.
Brooke, testifying under a cooperation agreement, cried while admitting she had helped stage confrontations.
Then Diane took the stand.
She denied planning anything.
"Emily has always hated me," she said. "She turned my granddaughter against me."
Naomi approached slowly.
"Mrs. Bennett, did you strike Lily on your birthday?"
"I tapped her."
"A tap left a handprint?"
"Children bruise easily."
Naomi played the livestream.
Diane flinched at the sound.
Then Naomi played Camera Seven.
Say Mommy scares you.
For the first time, Diane's voice failed.
The judge asked one question herself.
"Why were you trying to make a two-year-old say her mother frightened her?"
Diane looked toward Jason.
Then she said, "Because he told me we had to."
Every head turned.
May you like
Jason closed his eyes.
And in that moment, his own mother handed him the final piece of the case.
