Chapter 10 - The Report
Before we could decide what to do about the missing trust file, someone knocked on our front door.
A woman stood outside with an ID badge and a folder.
"Mrs. Walker? I'm Dana Ruiz with county child services. We received an urgent report involving your daughter."
My knees nearly gave out.
James stepped beside me. "On what basis?"
Dana's expression stayed professional. "The report alleges unsafe supervision, emotional instability in the home, and aggressive behavior by a returning service member."
Lauren had done it.
Or Martin had.
Maybe both.
We let Dana in.
She inspected Emma's room, food, sleeping space, medications, and pediatric records. She watched James change a diaper while Emma tried to eat his dog tags.
She watched me calm Emma when a door slammed outside.
Then she sat with us at the kitchen table.
"I need to ask directly. Has Major Walker ever threatened anyone in the home?"
"No."
"Has he ever handled a firearm while angry?"
"No."
James slid the police report from Thanksgiving across the table.
"My sister-in-law struck our infant. I told her to leave. Since then we've discovered forged guardianship documents."
Dana read in silence.
Her expression changed.
"This report says the opposite."
"What does it say?" I asked.
"That Lauren intervened after Major Walker became verbally aggressive toward the baby."
I actually laughed from shock.
Dana closed the folder.
"Someone is creating competing narratives. I see that."
Then she pulled out one final page.
"But there's something you need to explain."
It was a pediatric authorization request submitted two months earlier.
It asked for Emma's complete medical file.
The requester identified herself as Emma's court-approved guardian.
Lauren Bennett.
Attached was a court order.
May you like
It looked official.
And this one had a judge's signature on it.
