Chapter 5 - Two Girls, One Chair
The photograph was timestamped 8:04. Lily had slid sideways on the bench, her arm around Emma's shoulders. Two pieces of toast sat on one plate. Both girls were laughing.
"Save that," Tess said.
"Mom sent it with a story that contradicts the picture."
"Then save the whole conversation."
I forwarded the screenshot to Detective Brooks, noting who had sent it and when. The photograph wouldn't prove how the skillet landed, but it made Vanessa's excuse sound even more absurd.
My niece's father, Miles Carter, called that afternoon. He and Vanessa had separated the previous fall. Lily usually spent Sundays at Grandma's, and I'd never thought much about it.
"Lily's with me," Miles said. "She came home quiet. She won't even eat lunch. I didn't know why until someone sent me the family chat."
"Please don't ask her to tell me what she saw," I said. "Detective Brooks wants a specialist to speak to her."
"I know. I called child services myself. I just wanted you to know she's safe."
There was a pause. "Rachel, Vanessa told me Emma grabbed Lily by the hair."
"Emma was sharing her toast. I have a picture."
"Can you send it?"
"I'll send it to the investigator. They can tell you what they're able to share."
He exhaled. "Fair enough."
Emma's fever stayed down that evening. When she woke, she asked for her missing sock. Tess searched the hospital bag until she found it.
"That's my brave sock," Emma murmured.
"What makes it brave?" Tess asked.
"It didn't run away when I fell."
I nearly came apart. Instead, I pulled her blanket up and said, "Then we'll keep it close."
May you like
Outside the room, my father finally returned my call. His voice sounded smaller than it had that morning.
"Rachel, I need to tell you something before the police ask," he said. "Your mother turned the kitchen camera off right before you went upstairs."
