Chapter 2 - The Report Number
Natalie stood with Lily in her arms and turned toward the older police officer.
“Please preserve the call recording and give me the report number.”
The officer, whose badge read Harris, studied her carefully.
“You’re the child’s mother?”
“Yes. Natalie Carter. I can show identification, travel records, school records, and the written childcare arrangement.”
Evelyn scoffed.
“You’re overreacting.”
Natalie met her eyes.
“No. I’m acting.”
The words surprised even Natalie.
For years, Evelyn had accused her of being dramatic whenever she resisted being controlled. But Natalie was no longer responding to an argument. She was taking steps.
Officer Harris explained that someone had called emergency services claiming a child had been abandoned for several days without proper care. Evelyn had identified herself as Lily’s primary guardian and said Natalie’s location was unknown.
Natalie slowly looked toward her mother.
“You knew I was in Chicago.”
“You weren’t answering.”
“I spoke to you last night.”
Evelyn’s mouth tightened.
Melissa suddenly became interested in her phone screen.
Officer Harris asked Natalie to provide proof of travel and guardianship. Within minutes, she produced her return booking, messages with Evelyn, Lily’s preschool schedule, and the video call she had made to Lily the previous evening.
The officer’s tone changed.
He turned to Evelyn.
“Why did you report that Ms. Carter had been unreachable for three days?”
Evelyn lifted her chin.
“I was concerned.”
“You said the mother disappeared.”
“I used the wrong words.”
Lily tightened her arms around Natalie.
Officer Harris gave Natalie a card with the case number and told her the incident would remain documented. He also advised her to contact an attorney before allowing Evelyn unsupervised access to Lily again.
As the officers prepared to leave, Melissa whispered something to Evelyn.
Natalie saw fear pass between them.
Not embarrassment.
Fear.
Her attention shifted to the phone in Melissa’s hand.
“What are you hiding?”
“Nothing,” Melissa said too quickly.
Natalie did not argue.
She picked up her travel bag and carried Lily toward the elevators.
Behind her, Evelyn called, “You’ll regret humiliating your family.”
May you like
Natalie pressed the button for the fourteenth floor.
“No,” she answered without turning around. “You will regret frightening my daughter.”
