Chapter 9 - the custody papers
The smoke was artificial.
A security system pumped it through the vents to create confusion while the house entered emergency lockdown.
Walter broke the narrow window beside the fireplace with his cane.
Rebecca covered Lily’s face with a clean cloth while Krell widened the opening.
They escaped into the garden one at a time.
Judith and Vanessa were gone when the shutters lifted.
So was the photograph.
Krell disappeared before police arrived.
The officers accepted Judith’s explanation that the alarm had malfunctioned. No one found evidence of an intentional lockdown because the security logs had been erased.
Rebecca told them about the altered medical records, the hidden nursery, and the drugged tea.
Judith listened with tears in her eyes.
“My daughter has been under unbearable stress,” she said.
The officers became gentler with Rebecca after that.
Not more believing.
Just gentler.
Two days later, a county social worker arrived.
Her name was Dana Pierce. She carried a tablet, wore sensible shoes, and observed everything.
The report alleged that Rebecca had left Lily unattended near an open window, experienced hallucinations, refused medical treatment, and threatened family members.
It included a statement from Dr. Samuel Krell.
Rebecca read it twice.
The statement declared that she showed signs of severe postpartum psychosis.
“Krell did not say that,” Rebecca told Dana.
“He signed the document yesterday.”
“He disappeared two days ago.”
“The signature was electronically verified.”
Judith sat across the room with one hand over her mouth.
Vanessa stood beside her, looking appropriately concerned.
Dana asked to inspect the nursery.
Rebecca agreed.
The window latch had been repaired.
The note beneath the cradle was gone.
The hidden wall panel had been sealed and painted.
The old service corridor no longer existed.
At least, not from the nursery side.
Dana examined Lily and found her healthy, clean, and calm.
That helped.
Then Vanessa opened a drawer.
Inside were six unopened bottles of prescription sedatives bearing Rebecca’s name.
Rebecca stared at them.
“I have never seen those.”
Judith began crying.
Vanessa wrapped an arm around her.
“We didn’t want to believe it either.”
Dana photographed the bottles.
Rebecca looked at Walter.
He stood near the doorway.
“Tell her,” Rebecca said.
Judith’s crying stopped.
Walter looked at the prescriptions, then at Lily.
“Tell her what you know.”
His face was unreadable.
Rebecca’s last hope began to collapse.
Walter stepped into the room.
“I purchased those bottles,” he said.
Everyone stared at him.
Dana lowered her tablet.
“Why?”
“Judith asked me to collect them from Krell’s office.”
Judith’s expression hardened.
Walter continued.
“She told me they were vitamins for Rebecca. I opened one bottle and recognized the tablets.”
“How?” Dana asked.
“Because Judith gave me the same medication for three years.”
Vanessa turned pale.
Judith stood.
“He is confused.”
Walter reached into his jacket and removed a pharmacy receipt.
“My name is listed as the collector. Krell’s office camera will show Judith beside me.”
Dana took the receipt.
Walter pointed toward the bottles.
“Check the prescription dates. Two were issued before Lily was born. One was issued before Rebecca returned to Ashford House.”
Dana’s tone changed.
“Mrs. Hale, I need you to remain available while I contact my supervisor.”
Judith walked out.
Dana followed her.
Vanessa stayed behind.
She looked at Walter with quiet fury.
“You chose her.”
Walter met her gaze.
“I should have chosen the truth years ago.”
Vanessa turned toward Rebecca.
“This changes nothing. The emergency guardianship petition has already been filed.”
Rebecca’s chest tightened.
“What petition?”
Vanessa smiled without warmth.
“The hearing is tomorrow morning.”
She removed a folded document from her bag.
May you like
At the bottom, beside the name of the presiding judge, was a signature Rebecca recognized from Noah’s trust amendment.
Martin Lowe.
