Chapter 3 - The Bruises Under the Sleeves
The emergency room doctor asked Daniel to leave while a pediatric nurse examined Lily.
He hated every second of it.
Vanessa and Margaret had refused to come to the hospital. Paul had vanished before the police arrived. Renee gave a statement so vague it was almost insulting.
At 11:42 p.m., Dr. Priya Shah stepped into the family room carrying a tablet.
"Mr. Reed, some of Lily's injuries are older than tonight."
Daniel's throat tightened.
"How old?"
"Different ages. Days. Possibly weeks. There are small bruises on her upper arms, one healing mark behind her left knee, and irritation on her scalp consistent with repeated pulling. She's also mildly dehydrated."
Daniel stared at the wall.
"I bathe her."
"Not every day, I assume."
"Vanessa insisted on doing it when I worked late."
The doctor sat across from him. "I'm required to report suspected abuse. Child Protective Services will speak with you."
"Do it."
"They'll ask difficult questions about everyone in the home, including you."
"They should."
That answer seemed to matter to her.
Lily came out wearing hospital pajamas and holding a stuffed rabbit. She climbed into Daniel's arms without a word.
His phone buzzed.
A text from Vanessa.
YOU'RE MAKING A TERRIBLE MISTAKE. SHE LIES WHEN SHE WANTS ATTENTION.
Another message followed.
ASK YOUR MOTHER WHAT EMMA WROTE ABOUT LILY.
Daniel stared at it.
Emma had died eleven months earlier after a sudden aneurysm. In the last months of her life, she had kept journals. Daniel had never read them. Margaret said they were too painful and stored them for him.
He called his mother.
"Where are Emma's journals?"
Silence.
"Mom?"
"You need sleep."
"Where are they?"
"I burned them."
Daniel stood so suddenly Lily startled.
"You what?"
May you like
Margaret's voice stayed calm.
"Because there were things in those journals you were never supposed to know."
