Chapter 5 - The House of Evidence
By morning, the Bennett home no longer belonged to Edric’s rules.
Police officers moved through every room, photographing documents and collecting electronic devices.
The staircase had no signs of a recent fall.
There were no disturbed frames, damaged railings, or marks consistent with two people tumbling fourteen steps.
The living room told a different story.
A stack of Faye’s school papers lay beneath the coffee table. Her acceptance email had been torn in half.
The television remote rested on the floor.
A neighbor, Mrs. Ellison, told police that the volume had suddenly become extremely loud at approximately 8:15 p.m.
“I thought they were having a party,” she said. “Then it stopped. About twenty minutes later, I saw their car leave.”
Another neighbor provided security camera footage showing Edric carrying Faye toward the vehicle while Marissa supported Chloe.
Neither girl had been near the staircase.
The most damaging evidence came from Edric’s digital recorder.
He had labeled files by date.
Some captured ordinary family conversations. Others revealed him threatening to take away food, education, transportation, or contact with friends.
One recording contained Marissa saying, “You cannot keep frightening them.”
Edric replied, “Then teach them obedience.”
Another captured Faye asking why he had installed a lock on the outside of her bedroom door.
“For emergencies,” he said.
“What emergency requires locking someone inside?”
“The kind you create.”
Detective Ortiz listened to each file with a prosecutor.
By noon, the original charges against Edric had expanded.
He was no longer being held only for the hospital incident.
The investigation now covered years.
At the hospital, Dr. Cooper explained to the twins that they would remain overnight for observation.
“Where will we go after this?” Chloe asked.
Naomi Price sat beside them.
“Your maternal aunt has been contacted.”
“Aunt Rebecca?” Faye asked.
Marissa had not allowed them to speak to Rebecca for nearly two years. She always claimed her sister was too judgmental and caused conflict.
In truth, Edric had ordered Marissa to cut contact after Rebecca questioned his treatment of the twins.
“She is driving here now,” Naomi said.
Faye looked relieved, then guilty.
“What about Mom?”
Naomi chose her words carefully.
“Your mother is cooperating with police. But the court will decide what contact is safe.”
Chloe’s expression hardened.
“She lied.”
“Yes.”
“She watched.”
Naomi did not defend Marissa.
“She failed to protect you. Fear may explain her decisions, but it does not erase what those decisions did to you.”
Faye reached for Chloe’s hand.
For years, adults had given them excuses.
May you like
Naomi gave them the truth.
It hurt, but it also felt solid.
