Chapter 13 - Forty-Eight Hours
The social worker read the report with me.
She explained that an allegation didn't decide custody, and that investigators were required to look at facts, medical information, and the actual safety of the children.
It still felt like someone had reached through my ribs and squeezed my heart.
“They're trying to take Sophie and Lucas,” I said.
“They've made a report,” she answered. “That is not the same thing.”
I called Naomi.
She contacted the appropriate family-law attorney, helped document the threats, and advised Ryan and me to keep communicating with the medical staff.
Nobody promised that a nasty accusation would disappear overnight.
They promised to treat it seriously and tell the truth.
Two hours later Elliot Sloane sent Ryan an email.
The subject was FINAL OPPORTUNITY.
He demanded a response concerning the disputed guaranty within forty-eight hours.
His message threatened litigation and public exposure if the family did not cooperate.
Ryan's first instinct was the old one.
“Maybe I can borrow enough to make them go away.”
“No,” I said.
“But if I pay—”
“You'd be rewarding the people who hurt our children.”
He shut his mouth.
For the first time, I watched him choose not to rescue Brianna from the consequences of her actions.
Naomi sent a written response disputing the guaranty, preserving our rights, and instructing Elliot to direct future communications through counsel.
The lender's deadline could come and go without anyone handing over the trust.
Sophie had a good afternoon.
Lucas made a sound that seemed like a furious little complaint.
I saved the audio because I wanted Ryan to hear it.
Then Ortiz arrived with a new development.
A judge had authorized investigators to examine devices and account records connected to the apparent tampering.
They had located Brianna's missing laptop at a friend's apartment.
“Was the camera recording hub there?” I asked.
“No,” Ortiz said. “But we found a draft of a statement.”
May you like
She unfolded a printed page.
It described my death from a fall, with a date left blank at the top.
