Chapter 12 - EMILY’S INTERVIEW
A national morning program requested an interview.
They promised not to show Lily’s face.
They wanted to discuss family enabling and generational violence.
Rebecca advised against it before trial.
I declined.
Then a local reporter approached me outside work and asked whether my parents should be prosecuted.
I said:
“They should answer for whatever evidence proves they did.”
That sentence was careful.
The next question was not.
“Do you believe your brother is dangerous?”
“Yes.”
The clip aired that evening.
Blake’s lawyer filed a motion arguing I was poisoning the jury pool.
The judge denied a change of venue but warned all parties against public commentary.
I had ignored Rebecca’s advice in spirit, even if I had not scheduled an interview.
Fear had pushed me to answer.
I apologized to Quinn.
“Do not apologize to me,” she said. “Understand that every public statement creates another object the defense can hold.”
I stopped speaking near cameras.
The defense’s online supporters used my silence as evidence that I had lied.
There was no winning the performance.
Trial preparation focused on facts.
Caroline would testify.
Thomas Reed would testify.
Dr. Patel would explain the injury.
Officer Brooks would authenticate my recording and messages.
Diane would testify only about Blake’s prior knowledge and family response where the judge allowed it.
Rachel and Laura would authenticate the Lake Geneva audio if required.
Blake’s attorney planned to argue that the slap was a reflexive attempt to stop Lily from pulling down decorations.
The video showed the star taped securely to a fabric backdrop.
A reconstruction specialist measured its weight and position.
The defense mocked the use of an expert for a paper star.
The prosecutor wanted no room for claims that a heavy object threatened the child.
Sophie’s birthday became another injury.
Her classmates stopped inviting her to events because parents feared media attention.
Hannah arranged a smaller celebration at home months later.
Sophie asked whether Lily could attend.
I consulted Dr. Feld and Hannah.
We arranged a short meeting at a neutral play center.
No grandparents.
No Blake.
Sophie approached Lily slowly.
“I’m sorry my dad hit you.”
Adults had coached her not to take responsibility, but guilt remained.
I knelt beside both girls.
“You did not cause it.”
Sophie began crying.
“My birthday did.”
“No. A birthday cannot hit anyone.”
Lily offered her stuffed rabbit.
The moment was tender and unbearable.
Children tried to repair what adults had broken.
We ended the visit before it became too heavy.
Hannah and I agreed the girls would see each other only when they wanted.
Family connection would not become another obligation.
The night before jury selection, someone spray-painted LIAR across my car.
Security footage showed a hooded figure.
No identification.
I reported it and arranged repairs.
I did not post photographs.
Dad’s former executive assistant contacted Rebecca after seeing the news.
She had scheduled private meetings between Warren, attorneys, and Blake for years.
She preserved one email after refusing to delete it.
The subject line read:
THE COST OF LETTING HIM FAIL.
Diane wrote:
If Blake ever faces a real consequence, he will collapse and take all of us with him.
May you like
Warren replied:
Then we make sure the consequence belongs to someone else.
