Chapter 3 - The Man Who Owned the Cameras
Nathan had never told Emily about Hartwell House.
Not the whole truth.
He had mentioned consulting work.
He always mentioned consulting work.
That was Nathan's preferred explanation whenever money appeared or disappeared.
Software integration.
Security audits.
Corporate risk management.
Words complicated enough to discourage questions.
Three years earlier, Nathan had begun working with a private technology company called Halcyon Systems.
At least, that was what Emily believed.
Now Officer Reyes stood in the hospital corridor telling her Nathan had administrative access to the security cameras of the restaurant where their son had nearly frozen to death.
Emily stared through the glass wall at Nathan.
He sat at a table inside the interview room.
His arrogance was beginning to crack.
"Why would he have access?"
Reyes folded his arms.
"Hartwell House contracts with a security provider called Meridian Shield."
"Never heard of it."
"Your husband's listed as a technical director."
Emily felt dizzy.
"Nathan told me he worked for Halcyon."
"He does."
"Then what's Meridian Shield?"
"That's what we're trying to determine."
Across the hall, Helen emerged from another interview room.
Officer Han followed.
Helen spotted Emily immediately.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Emily stared at her.
"My son could have died."
"Your son was never going to die."
Dr. Bennett stepped out of Oliver's room.
"I strongly recommend you stop saying that."
Helen gave her a cold look.
"I wasn't speaking to you."
"No, you were speaking about my patient."
Helen adjusted her coat.
"This entire situation is ridiculous."
Officer Han blocked her path.
"You aren't leaving yet."
"I have not been arrested."
"Correct."
"Then move."
Officer Han did not.
Helen turned back toward Emily.
"Your constant melodrama is exactly why Nathan wanted a divorce."
Emily almost responded.
Then she noticed something.
Helen's right hand.
A faint reddish scratch crossed her palm.
Fresh.
Emily remembered Oliver saying he touched the bottle.
Then Helen took him into the bathroom.
Could Oliver have scratched her?
Or had she cut herself on something?
Before Emily could think further, Reyes's phone rang.
He answered.
"Reyes."
His eyes moved toward Nathan.
"You're sure?"
Pause.
"Lock it down."
He ended the call.
"What happened?" Emily asked.
"The restaurant manager found something."
Nathan looked up sharply from inside the interview room.
Even through the glass, Emily saw his reaction.
Fear.
Reyes walked toward him.
Nathan stood.
"What did they find?"
Reyes did not answer.
"What did they find?" Nathan repeated.
"You can ask your attorney."
Nathan's face hardened.
"I don't need an attorney."
"That's your decision."
"What did they find?"
Reyes looked at him through the glass.
"A broken vial beneath the sink in the restroom where Oliver says your mother poured water over him."
Helen's face went white.
For the first time all night, she lost control.
"That's impossible."
Everyone looked at her.
Officer Han narrowed her eyes.
"Why is it impossible?"
Helen stopped.
She realized too late what she had said.
"I mean... I didn't see any vial."
"You told us you never entered the restroom."
"I waited outside."
"Oliver says you took him inside."
"He is six."
"He's also very specific."
Nathan slammed his palm against the table.
"Enough."
Reyes turned.
Nathan pointed toward his mother.
"She didn't do anything."
Helen looked at him.
Something passed between them.
Emily had seen that look before.
Not tonight.
Years ago.
Whenever Nathan lied and Helen knew the truth.
Nathan always protected his mother.
But this felt different.
This looked like Nathan was protecting himself.
Dr. Bennett touched Emily's shoulder.
"Oliver is asking for you."
Emily returned to the room.
Oliver was awake enough to sip warm apple juice.
His cheeks had some color now.
She sat beside him.
"Do you remember the bottle Grandma had?"
Oliver nodded.
"Was there anything on it?"
"A blue moon."
Emily frowned.
"A moon?"
He formed a crescent shape with his fingers.
"And letters."
"What letters?"
"I don't know."
"That's okay."
Oliver stared into his cup.
Then quietly asked, "Is Daddy going to jail?"
Emily's chest hurt.
"I don't know."
"He told Grandma not to worry."
"When?"
"In the car."
Emily's fingers tightened.
"What did he say?"
Oliver concentrated.
"Daddy said, 'The cameras won't show anything.'"
Emily's heartbeat changed.
"Before you went inside?"
"Yes."
She stood.
"Oliver, I'm going to talk to Officer Reyes for one minute."
He grabbed her hand.
"Don't leave."
She sat back immediately.
"I won't."
Oliver watched the window.
Then whispered, "Mommy?"
"Yes?"
"The bottle wasn't for Daddy."
Emily stared at him.
May you like
He swallowed.
"I heard Grandma say your name."
