Chapter 3 - The Story They Told First
The next message showed a form titled VOLUNTARY VACANCY ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
My printed name was already on it.
I showed Robert. He swore softly, a word I'd heard him use exactly once before, when his heart monitor failed in the ambulance two summers earlier.
"Who sent this?" he asked.
"I don't know."
The examination-room curtain opened. A deputy stood beside the nurse.
"Emily Carter? I'm Deputy Price. There's been a report of an assault at your residence."
I held up my bandaged hand. "You came to the right place."
The deputy listened while I explained the slap, the soup, and Daniel refusing to help. Then she told me Teresa had called first. According to Teresa, I'd attacked her at dinner and threatened to burn the house down.
"That's ridiculous," Robert said.
"I'm taking statements, sir."
I showed the deputy photographs of my injuries and let her speak to the doctor. She took my account without promising an arrest. She also advised me to save every text and photograph, and not to confront anyone alone.
When she left, I sat on the edge of the examination bed, feeling cold despite the warm blanket.
"They planned an accusation before they knew what I'd do," I said.
Robert stared at the floor. "I hoped it wouldn't go this far."
I turned toward him. "You hoped?"
He admitted he'd discovered the suspicious loan paperwork on Tuesday. He'd come to dinner intending to force Daniel to cancel everything. He hadn't told me sooner because he wanted to give his son one chance to fix it.
"That chance cost me a burn and a police report."
"I know. I'm sorry."
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I called my friend Tessa and asked if I could stay at her apartment. Then I called a lawyer recommended by our office manager.
While we waited, Tessa sent a message: EMILY, CHECK YOUR CAMERA ACCOUNT. SOMEONE JUST CHANGED THE PASSWORD.
