Chapter 6 - The First Counterattack
Karen had called the police while we were at Megan’s.
She told them I had threatened to burn the house down.
I laughed when the officer said it.
He did not.
“Did you make that statement?”
“No.”
Karen crossed her arms.
“He was screaming.”
“I was not here.”
The officer looked at Dad.
“Can you confirm that?”
“Yes.”
Susan added, “We can document his location.”
Karen’s face tightened.
The officer looked annoyed.
False reports were paperwork.
Not everything.
Just the dirty plate.
Karen snapped, “That has nothing to do with this.”
The officer watched Lily wipe her eyes.
Then Karen tell her, “Your dad will get tired of your whining.”
His expression changed.
He turned to me.
“Is the child safe now?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Then Susan said, “Officer, we also have evidence of possible financial forgery.”
Karen laughed.
“Of course you do.”
The officer looked at her.
Dad sat on the couch with his hands clasped.
Not angry.
Ashamed.
Karen noticed.
She switched tactics.
“Richard.”
He did not look at her.
“Richard, please.”
Nothing.
Dad finally raised his head.
“That is not what happened.”
“I watched it.”
“She was being difficult.”
“She is five.”
Karen’s eyes filled with tears.
“I lost control.”
Dad nodded slowly.
“At last. Something true.”
Karen’s face hardened.
He left.
Susan began photographing documents.
Then Dad said, “Karen, pack a bag.”
She stared.
“What?”
“This is my home.”
“It’s my house.”
“We’re married.”
“Yes.”
She laughed bitterly.
“So now Daniel wins.”
I stepped forward.
Dad raised a hand.
“No.”
He handled it himself.
Karen looked at him for a long time.
Then went upstairs.
Twenty minutes later, she came down with two suitcases.
At the front door, she turned to me.
“You think that camera saved you.”
I said nothing.
May you like
She smiled.
“You should check the garage.”
