Chapter 14 - SHE KNEW THE CAMERA WAS THERE
Vanessa appeared in the hall gripping Mia's wrist.
Mia pulled back.
Vanessa said something the camera did not capture because the hallway feed had no sound.
Mia shook her head.
Vanessa yanked her forward.
Then, just before entering the dressing room, Vanessa looked directly at the camera mounted above the EXIT sign.
Then she reached into her pocket and took out her phone.
The clip ended.
Claire asked, "Do you have the part where she hit Mia?"
"Not yet."
"Why not?"
"Corrupted segment."
But the audio still had the slap, the threat, the insult, and Mia begging for her bow back.
The medical record documented the red cheek.
The photo from last month showed Vanessa gripping Mia's arm.
The cloud folder showed a custody campaign.
And now the video showed Vanessa dragging Mia into the room and checking the camera.
But Claire had her own problem.
The next recovered clip showed Claire running into the dressing room.
Seconds later, Vanessa stumbled back into the hallway, holding her cheek.
Officer Ramirez looked at Claire. "The footage doesn't show inside the room, but witnesses heard the lockers. You admitted the shove and slap."
Claire nodded.
"Vanessa's protective-order hearing is tomorrow morning. You need to be prepared for her attorney to focus entirely on your conduct."
Rachel said, "Stay calm in court. Her lawyer will try to make you angry because angry is the picture he needs."
Claire looked through the glass conference-room door.
Mia was coloring at a table with a victim advocate.
"I can stay calm."
Rachel said, "Good. Because there's one more problem."
She slid over a document.
Vanessa had subpoenaed Daniel as a witness.
And the filing claimed Daniel had previously described Claire as "unstable and explosive."
Claire looked at him.
May you like
Daniel went silent.
That silence scared her more than the document.
