Chapter 10 - THE THREAT
Vivian had been released.
That was the sentence Ethan wasn't prepared for.
Released on bond.
No contact order.
Ankle monitor.
Restraining conditions.
Legal language meant to sound safe.
Ethan didn't feel safe.
“She threatened my daughter from jail,” he told Ramirez.
“Daniel's reporting the conversation.”
“So arrest her again.”
“We need the exact language and call recording.”
“She said Lily wasn't safe!”
“I know.”
“You keep saying you know.”
Ramirez's jaw tightened.
“And you keep acting like I'm not doing my job.”
Ethan stopped.
The officer continued.
“I have a daughter too.”
That silenced him.
Ramirez stepped closer.
“If I could lock Vivian Grant in a cell tonight based on what I feel, I would. But I don't get to work on feelings.”
Ethan looked away.
“Then tell me what I do.”
“You stay with Lily. You follow the safety plan. You document every contact attempt. And you do not confront Vivian.”
“Fine.”
“Say it like you mean it.”
“I won't confront her.”
Rachel's house got new locks that afternoon.
Cameras.
Window sensors.
Motion lights.
Lily thought the new doorbell camera was funny.
“Can it see squirrels?”
“Yes.”
“Can squirrels ring it?”
“Only very talented squirrels.”
She laughed.
The sound nearly destroyed Ethan.
He had missed it.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd heard his daughter laugh freely.
That night he tucked her into Rachel's guest bed.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
“Is Vivian mad?”
Ethan sat beside her.
“She doesn't get to come near you.”
“That wasn't my question.”
He looked at his four-year-old daughter and wondered when she had learned to listen like an adult.
“Yes,” he said quietly. “She's probably mad.”
Lily pulled the blanket to her chin.
“Mad people do bad stuff.”
“Sometimes.”
“You get mad.”
“I do.”
“Do you do bad stuff?”
Ethan paused.
“Sometimes I say things I wish I hadn't. But being angry doesn't give anybody permission to hurt someone.”
Lily thought about that.
“Okay.”
He kissed her forehead.
As he left, she said, “Daddy?”
He turned.
“Thank you for coming home.”
Ethan shut the door before she could see him cry.
His phone buzzed downstairs.
Unknown number.
A photograph arrived.
Rachel's house.
Taken from across the street.
Timestamp: two minutes ago.
Ethan ran to the window.
Nothing.
He called Ramirez.
Then another message appeared.
YOU ALWAYS COME HOME TOO LATE.
Rachel came downstairs.
“What is it?”
Ethan showed her.
Her face drained.
Police arrived within minutes.
They searched the street.
No Vivian.
No suspicious vehicle.
Then one officer checked the backyard.
“Mr. Walker?”
Ethan followed him outside.
On the grass below Lily's bedroom window lay a small object.
A pink hair clip.
The same hair clip police had photographed in Vivian's basement punishment box.
Attached to it was a folded note.
Ethan opened it with gloved hands.
Four words.
ASK LILY ABOUT CLAIRE'S NECKLACE.
He looked toward the upstairs window.
May you like
And realized Vivian had just given them another secret to uncover.
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