Chapter 10 - THE PROMISE
Dad had built Walker Electric from two vans and a rented garage.
When Lauren was a teenager, she loved visiting job sites with him. She talked about running the company someday. Dad encouraged her.
Then life happened.
Lauren dropped out of college twice. She worked for Dad for six months and was fired after repeatedly using company cards for personal expenses. Years later, Dad sold the company instead of passing it down.
Lauren never forgave him.
"I told her she'd inherit part of the proceeds," Dad said. "But I never promised all of it. Not after everything that happened."
"She heard what she wanted to hear," I said.
"I helped her hear it."
By noon, the investigator had more.
L. Mercer Consulting was drowning in debt.
Lauren owed taxes. Her office lease was three months behind. Two clients were suing her for failing to deliver contracted work. The attempted transfer wasn't greed in the abstract.
She needed cash quickly.
Then the military complaint against James changed.
Lauren submitted a written statement claiming James had grabbed her wrist and shoved her against a wall.
"She just upgraded the lie," I said.
James looked almost bored. "Good."
"Good?"
"Specific lies are easier to disprove."
Melissa's video showed part of the hallway after Lauren left the dining room. James never touched her.
My uncle's doorbell camera captured Lauren exiting the house alone, walking normally, using both hands, showing no sign of injury.
And then my cousin sent us something even better.
A text Lauren had sent her at 9:03 that Christmas night.
HE THINKS HIS UNIFORM SCARES ME. I'M GOING TO MAKE HIM REGRET EMBARRASSING ME.
James forwarded everything through the proper channels.
The next day his commanding officer called.
The complaint would be closed unless new credible evidence appeared.
I finally breathed.
Then our daycare director called.
"Sarah, did you authorize your sister to pick up Emma today?"
My blood went cold.
"No."
May you like
The director lowered her voice.
"She's standing in our lobby."
