Chapter 7 - Eleven Seconds
Beth joined Maya and Andrew at the attorney's office rather than sending the recording to a family group chat.
She was Clara's former coworker and had come to the shower expecting harmless games and too much punch.
"I started filming because Judith was making a speech," Beth said.
"I thought Clara was about to open presents."
The video was eleven seconds long.
Clara's hand pressed down behind Emma's head.
Judith held the platter steady.
A guest said, "Clara, stop," just before Zoe reached them.
Emma's small hands pushed against the tablecloth.
Andrew had seen the aftermath.
Watching the action itself left him nauseated.
"Can we use it?" he asked.
"We can preserve it and share it appropriately with the investigator," Maya said.
"We will not post a frightened child's worst moment online."
Beth looked relieved.
"Judith said the camera would have missed the beginning. She knew I was filming."
"Did she ask you to delete it?"
"Twice. And then she offered me a job at her design company."
That evening Emma made a small boat out of paper and floated it in Tessa's sink.
Andrew watched her smile for the first time since the shower.
He didn't tell her about the video.
She didn't need to relive the cake to earn the right to be believed.
When Andrew returned to the guest room, Maya called again.
The security review had identified a second recording from a guest's phone, showing Clara arguing with Zoe before the cake was brought out.
"What were they arguing about?" Andrew asked.
"Zoe refused to take Emma upstairs and lock her bedroom door during the shower," Maya said.
"Clara told her that the day was about teaching the little girl to accept changes."
"Changes?"
May you like
Maya hesitated.
"Clara also told the guest she'd already found a place for Emma to live after the baby arrived."
