Chapter 14 - Please Don't Get Up
Assistant District Attorney Maya Chen removed her glasses and said, "That changes things."
"Attempted murder?" Daniel asked.
"Possibly. We can argue intent from the financial scheme, the forged medical authority, Kyle's statement, and this audio."
Ortiz added, "And the words after the fall."
Please don't get up.
Olivia's bond was revoked the next morning after investigators tied the backpack delivery to a woman named Paige Nolan, one of Olivia's betting friends. Paige admitted Olivia had called her from a borrowed phone and asked her to "scare Ethan into fixing his story."
Witness intimidation became a stronger charge.
Olivia filed from jail.
Her petition accused Daniel of parental alienation and claimed Margaret had manipulated Ethan into making false statements.
"Can she do that?" Rachel asked.
"She can write anything on paper," Daniel said. "Apparently that's her favorite thing."
Ethan's nightmares got worse.
He dreamed of the staircase. Sometimes Grandma fell. Sometimes Daniel did. Sometimes Olivia stood at the bottom and smiled.
One night Ethan said, "I should've yelled before she pushed."
Daniel pulled him close.
"You froze because you were scared. That's what bodies do sometimes."
"Grandma got hurt because I was quiet."
"No. Grandma got hurt because Mom pushed her. Those are different things."
Ethan nodded, but Daniel knew the guilt had already found a place to live.
Three days later, Margaret was transferred to rehab.
She asked for the blue box.
Daniel told her it had been found empty.
Margaret frowned.
"Not... papers," she said.
"What?"
She fought for each word.
"Under... bottom."
Daniel remembered the felt liner.
"We found the storage receipt."
Margaret shook her head hard.
"Other... bottom."
She pointed downward twice.
Daniel called Ortiz.
They examined the cash box again.
May you like
Under the metal base plate was a second hidden compartment.
Inside was a small USB drive labeled: DANIEL - WILL.
