Chapter 5: The Part the Camera Missed
Vivian crossed the room toward Sophia.
“Give me that phone.”
Sophia stepped behind Roman’s guard.
“No.”
“You were a guest in my home.”
“I was your witness.”
Sophia opened the recording.
Vivian’s voice filled the room.
“Leave the bowl where Roman can see it.
When he reacts, the camera will prove he is dangerous.”
Caroline’s recorded voice answered, “What if he takes Milo and leaves?”
“He won’t get beyond the gates.
Julian will have the order ready.”
The officer nearest Roman looked at Vivian.
“You staged the confrontation?”
“She edited that,” Vivian said.
“Arrest her for invading my privacy.”
Sophia held the screen toward him.
“The file carries the time, location, and cloud record.
Take it.”
Julian closed his folder.
“Vivian, you told me the child was already asleep when the argument began.”
“I told you what was necessary.”
“You used my name on a filing built from altered evidence.”
“I paid you to protect this family.”
Julian placed the folder on the table.
“You paid me for legal advice, not fraud.”
The second officer spoke into his radio.
“Requesting a child welfare supervisor and digital evidence unit.”
Vivian pointed at Roman.
“Look at him.
Does anyone believe Milo is safer with a syndicate boss?”
Roman held Milo tighter.
“Then let the court examine me.
It will also examine you.”
Milo lifted his head.
“The lady with the gray hair made me cry for the camera.”
Vivian’s hand froze in midair.
“What did she say?” the officer asked gently.
“She said Mama went away because she didn’t want a naughty boy.
Then Aunt Caroline took my sandwich.”
A woman appeared in the kitchen doorway.
Rosa, the housekeeper, still wore her apron, and she gripped a small black device.
Vivian’s face changed.
“Go back downstairs.”
Rosa walked toward the officer.
“This is the dining-room camera’s backup card.”
“You told me that system had no backup,” Vivian said.
“You ordered me to destroy it.” Rosa placed the card in the officer’s hand.
“I replaced it with an empty one.”
Vivian took a step toward her.
“Your daughter’s school fees come from me.”
“They came from Elena,” Rosa replied.
“You only signed the checks.”
Roman looked at Rosa.
“How long was Milo treated this way?”
“Since Elena disappeared.
I brought food to his room until Caroline locked the kitchen at night.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
Rosa’s eyes filled.
“They showed me messages saying you had ordered it.”
Roman lowered his gaze to Milo.
“Everyone believed my name could frighten them into obedience.”
Rosa touched Milo’s shoe.
“I’m sorry, little one.”
Milo reached toward her.
“You gave me the apple.”
Rosa covered her mouth, and Sophia put an arm around her shoulders.
Roman’s phone rang.
Caroline’s name appeared on the screen.
He answered on speaker.
“Bring Elena home.”
Caroline laughed once.
“You should have signed Mother’s papers.”
“Where is she?”
A picture arrived.
Elena sat in the back of a car, pale and unsteady, with Caroline’s hand gripping her shoulder.
“Sign the trust over by midnight,” Caroline said, “or you will spend the rest of your life wondering where your wife went.”
The line disconnected.
May you like
Milo stared at the photograph and whispered one word.
“Mama.”
