Chapter 5 - JESSICA’S VIDEO
Jessica came to me three days later.
No Mark.
She stood outside Sophie’s house holding her phone.
“I should have done something.”
“Yes.”
No comfort.
She nodded.
“I know.”
“What do you have?”
“A video.”
My stomach tightened.
“I was filming decorations through the kitchen.”
She opened it.
The recording began before I arrived.
Children inside.
Music.
Through the glass, Lily stood beside the porch.
Margaret faced her.
No chain yet.
Margaret said:
“Apologize.”
Lily:
“He lied.”
Margaret:
“Evan repeated what adults told him.”
“Then the adults lied.”
My daughter.
Seven years old.
Margaret’s expression changed.
“You’re getting too bold.”
“I’m a Whitmore.”
Margaret laughed.
“You’re Claire’s mistake.”
Lily began crying.
Jessica’s voice from behind the camera:
“Margaret, come inside.”
Margaret ignored her.
Then she walked toward a storage bench.
The video shook.
Jessica lowered her phone but did not stop recording.
Metal.
Chain.
“Why was there a chain?” I asked.
“Mark uses it to secure patio furniture during storms.”
Of course.
Ordinary object.
Margaret looped it around Lily.
Jessica said:
“Are you serious?”
Margaret:
“She can leave when she apologizes.”
Jessica:
“Daniel said timeout. Not this.”
Margaret:
“Daniel said keep her out.”
Jessica moved closer.
“Take that off.”
Then Mark entered the frame.
“What’s going on?”
Margaret:
“Nothing.”
Jessica:
“She chained Lily.”
Mark looked.
Actually looked.
Then glanced through the window at guests.
His voice lowered.
“Mom. Not today.”
Not:
Take it off.
Not:
What are you doing?
Not today.
Margaret:
“She has to learn before the trust meeting.”
My entire body went still.
“What trust meeting?”
Jessica paused the video.
“That’s why I came.”
She looked ashamed.
“Mark knew there was a meeting scheduled after Lily’s birthday.”
“About what?”
“The branch audit.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
May you like
“Because our finances are in it.”
There it was.
