Chapter 14 - The Visit Vanessa Wasn't Allowed to Make
Vanessa arrived at Sofia's school on Friday afternoon. The safety plan required all contact to be arranged through family services, but Vanessa stood near the office holding a gift bag.
"I only want to give her something," she said. "I'm still her family."
Vanessa raised her voice. A teacher moved children from the hallway into a classroom. Sofia heard the commotion from the counselor's room and began to cry.
When Mateo arrived, Vanessa was arguing by the curb. She left before officers reached her, but the incident was documented and added to the safety assessment.
At home, Ms. Patel reviewed the incident and updated the safety plan. Caroline filed for a protective order that would prohibit Vanessa from approaching Sofia's school or contacting her outside approved supervised arrangements. The court would decide the request, but the school had clear instructions.
The gift bag had been turned over to Ms. Patel. Inside was a bright pink rabbit and a note: "You don't need that old doll anymore. It's full of sad memories. Let the past stay buried."
Sofia saw it and shook her head. "That's not mine."
Mateo handed her Bunny Rose. "You don't have to keep it."
She held the yellow doll close. "Vanessa said Mommy didn't love me enough to stay."
"Your mother didn't choose to leave. She died, and it wasn't your fault."
After Sofia fell asleep, Mateo found a second note tucked into the bag's lining. The handwriting was Ricardo's: TELL HIM WHAT YOU SAW, AND YOU WILL LOSE WHAT'S LEFT OF YOUR FAMILY.
Mateo called Detective Reyes. The detective told him to preserve the bag and not touch anything else.
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"That's an attempt to pressure a witness," Reyes said. "We'll act on it."
For the first time, Mateo felt the investigation moving faster than the people trying to bury the truth.
