Chapter 3 - The Blue Light
Detective Ortiz pulled a chair close to my bed but didn't open her notebook right away.
“Your sister-in-law called the police,” she explained. “She says you slipped, became confused, and threatened her afterward.”
I waited for the anger to arrive.
What came instead was a tired, ugly laugh.
“Of course she did.”
Ortiz asked me to start with the doorbell, then the gravy-colored rug in the hallway, then the glass that shattered.
“Brianna wore a cream blazer,” I said. “She left through the front door. I heard her keys.”
“Did she touch anything?”
“My phone. The island. Maybe the camera.”
That made Ortiz look up.
“What camera?”
“Above the kitchen doorway. Ryan put it there when someone kept stealing packages. It also faces part of the kitchen.”
She asked whether it recorded sound.
I thought so, but I'd never needed to check.
The live picture could be viewed from our phones, and recordings saved to a small hub inside the pantry.
I told her Ryan handled the settings.
“We'll preserve it properly,” she said.
I wanted to say that we'd finally found the one witness Brianna couldn't bully.
Instead, my eyes went to the NICU bracelet around my wrist.
“What happens if it didn't record?”
“We keep investigating.”
Ortiz had already spoken with Mrs. Alvarez.
The neighbor had seen me on the floor, heard my request for help, and called the ambulance before Brianna's police report existed.
Diane had sent eleven messages while I slept.
Stop making accusations.
Your husband is flying home into a mess.
Remember who helped pay for your wedding.
The last message arrived while Ortiz sat beside me.
The camera doesn't work anymore, Emma. Don't embarrass yourself.
Ortiz studied my face.
“What did she say?”
I passed her the phone.
May you like
She read the message twice, then reached for her own.
“I need an officer at that house now.”
