Chapter 10 - The Seamstress
By breakfast, Owen's school had called to ask whether he would be attending class. Tara put the phone on speaker and told the principal only what was necessary: Owen was safe, a police report was being made, and no child should have to answer strangers' accusations at school.
I wanted to post the whole recording online and shout at everyone who'd judged him. Detective Brooks asked me not to. "Protect your son's privacy," she said. "We can preserve the footage. A public argument won't make evidence stronger."
Instead, I spoke to a woman named Delia Knott, the seamstress who had altered Brielle's dress. Delia agreed to meet Renee at her shop. She was a blunt woman with silver-framed glasses and pins arranged by size.
"Brielle brought an inflatable costume insert," she explained. "Said she was acting in a charity skit and needed the gown fitted over it. I never saw a medical record. I'm not a doctor. I just sewed a hidden pocket."
She showed us her work order and a photograph taken for the final fitting. The insert was visible on the mannequin: flexible fabric, air valve, straps, no child inside it. There was also a receipt paid with Brielle's personal card.
"I warned her not to keep sharp objects near the valve," Delia said. "Never imagined anyone would bring one to the ceremony."
Renee recorded Delia's statement. I signed a request for the shop to retain the original photographs, then stepped outside where Tara was waiting with two coffees.
"I owe Owen more than an apology," I told her.
"Then give him more. Give him a dad who doesn't make him prove what he knows by doing something dangerous."
My phone rang before I could answer. Asha's voice was tight.
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"Daniel, the county says Pine Hollow's inspection number was copied from a different building. Somebody didn't just lie about a door. They invented the entire approval."
Then she added, "And investigators are asking why the forged permit carries your company seal."
