Chapter 9 - Amanda's Deal
Amanda refused to speak unless Ethan left the room.
He didn't argue.
For once, he didn't want to hear her voice.
Mara stayed with him and Lily in the hallway while Detective Cole questioned Amanda behind closed doors.
Forty minutes later, Cole came out looking angry.
"She says Raymond sabotaged Daniel's SUV."
Lily started crying.
"And Mom knew?"
Cole crouched. "She says she knew Raymond wanted to stop Daniel from reaching Cincinnati, but claims she thought he would only scare him."
Mara's expression hardened. "Convenient."
Amanda had also admitted forging portions of the guardianship petition.
She insisted Raymond pressured her because the stolen company money would be discovered once Mara took control of Ethan's trust.
"She says she treated Ethan badly because she wanted him unstable enough for the court to believe the petition," Cole said.
Ethan stared at the floor.
Instant noodles.
Locked rooms.
Missing photographs.
Every cruel thing had been useful to her.
Lily squeezed his hand harder.
"She still chose it," she said.
Mara looked at the six-year-old with surprise.
"Yes," she said. "She did."
Raymond disappeared before police could arrest him.
His truck was found near the interstate with the keys inside.
No phone.
No wallet.
No Raymond.
That night, Ethan finally listened to the final file on Daniel's recorder.
His father's voice was softer than before.
"Ethan, if you're hearing this, I may have failed to fix things myself. Don't waste your life trying to punish everyone who hurt us. Protect what matters. Tell the truth. Stay close to people who choose you when choosing you is hard."
Lily leaned against Ethan's shoulder.
Then another voice appeared on the recording.
A woman's voice.
Amanda's.
"Daniel, please. Raymond is outside. He says you have ten minutes."
And Daniel replied:
May you like
"Then call the police."
Amanda whispered, "I can't."
