Chapter 9 - what happened the night eric vanished)
Daniel told the story in fragments.
At first, Laura thought he was still protecting himself.
Then she realized he was terrified of the memory.
Eight months earlier, Daniel had been staying late at Vanessa's apartment.
At eleven forty, Eric appeared.
He had a key.
Vanessa became furious.
Eric carried a backpack.
He said it contained documents.
He told Daniel that Vanessa had used both of them.
Daniel asked what he meant.
Eric laughed bitterly.
"You really think you're special?"
Vanessa ordered Eric to leave.
He refused.
He accused her of stealing from vulnerable clients through Daniel's firm.
Daniel denied knowing anything.
Eric threw copies of bank records onto the table.
Then he said something Daniel remembered word for word.
"Ask her what happened to Rebecca."
Vanessa went silent.
"Who's Rebecca?" Laura asked.
Daniel shook his head.
"I still don't know."
"What happened next?"
"Vanessa told me Eric was unstable. Eric told me to come with him to the police."
"Did you?"
"No."
Laura closed her eyes.
Of course he did not.
Daniel continued.
Eric left.
Vanessa immediately made a phone call.
She went into the bedroom but Daniel stood near the door.
He heard one name.
Victor.
He heard Vanessa say Eric was "moving tonight."
Then she noticed Daniel listening.
She ended the call.
"Why didn't you tell police this when Eric disappeared?"
Daniel's answer was barely audible.
"Because Vanessa told me they'd investigate me too."
"They should have."
"I know."
"No, Daniel. I don't think you do."
He looked at Laura.
"I was a coward."
It was the first explanation he had given that Laura fully believed.
Sarah notified investigators.
Daniel agreed to formal questioning.
In return for cooperation, no promises were made.
That mattered.
Daniel finally understood that telling the truth did not guarantee protection from consequences.
The custody hearing remained scheduled.
Laura considered asking for delay.
Sarah advised against it.
"We have enough to secure temporary custody. Emily needs stability."
The night before court, Laura stayed beside Emily until she fell asleep.
At two in the morning, Emily woke crying.
Laura turned on the lamp.
"What happened?"
"Dream."
"Want to tell me?"
Emily nodded.
"Vanessa was in our kitchen."
Laura stroked her hair.
"She's not here."
"She said you were gone."
"I'm right here."
Emily stared at her.
Then she said something unexpected.
"She hit me."
Laura froze.
"In the dream?"
Emily shook her head.
Laura's voice became very quiet.
"When?"
"Yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
"No. The yesterday before Dad brought me home."
Laura understood.
Emily did not mean the literal previous day.
She meant the last time she had been alone with Vanessa before the emergency order.
"Where?"
"At your house."
"My house?"
Emily nodded.
"She came in when you weren't there."
Laura's heart pounded.
"When?"
Emily thought.
"The day you wore the green shirt."
Laura remembered.
A school conference.
She had left Emily with Daniel for two hours at the family home while she met a teacher.
Daniel had told her afterward that he had been alone with Emily.
"Was Dad here?"
Emily shook her head.
"Vanessa said he went to get coffee."
"What happened?"
Emily began crying.
Laura forced herself to stay calm.
"Take your time."
"She asked what I would tell the judge."
"What did you say?"
"I said I wanted you."
Laura's throat tightened.
"Then what?"
"She got mad."
"Did she hit you?"
Emily nodded.
"Where?"
She touched her left cheek.
Laura closed her eyes.
There had been no visible mark when she returned that day.
Or perhaps there had been a faint one Laura had mistaken for flushed skin.
"What did she say?"
Emily whispered.
"She said next time would be harder."
Laura held her.
"Anything else?"
Emily buried her face against Laura.
"She said if I tell you, Dad will go to jail."
Laura felt tears on her own face.
"Sweetheart, listen to me. Nothing that happens to Dad is because of you."
Emily looked up.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
The next morning, Laura told Sarah.
Sarah informed the court.
Judge Halston decided she would speak directly with Emily.
The courtroom filled quickly.
Daniel sat near his attorney.
Laura sat with Sarah.
Vanessa entered wearing dark burgundy.
She looked composed.
Almost bored.
When Emily entered through the side door with a court appointed child advocate, Vanessa watched her.
Emily saw her.
Her hand immediately went to her left cheek.
Laura saw the movement.
So did Judge Halston.
The judge asked Emily several simple questions.
Then she asked the adults to remain silent.
Emily trembled.
Judge Halston said, "Sweetheart, nobody here is allowed to tell you what answer to give. Do you understand?"
Emily nodded.
"Do you know who you want to live with?"
Emily looked at Laura.
Then Daniel.
Then Vanessa.
Her lips moved.
"I choose Dad."
Vanessa smiled.
Laura felt her heart break.
May you like
Then Emily raised her hand.
And pointed.
