Chapter 4
The police took statements.
Noah sat on Grace’s lap, wrapped in a blanket, refusing to let go of the bear.
An officer asked him what happened.
Noah whispered, “Vanessa said Mommy was gone and I should be done.”
Grace closed her eyes.
The officer asked, “Did she put you in the cage?”
Noah nodded.
“She said if I wanted Mommy Bear, I could sleep outside with it.”
Vanessa snapped, “He is exaggerating.”
The officer turned toward her.
“Ma’am, stop speaking.”
That simple sentence shook her more than my anger.
Because Vanessa was used to being believed.
The backyard footage showed everything.
Vanessa dragging Noah by the wrist.
Opening the dog run.
Throwing the teddy bear into the mud.
Locking the gate.
Noah crying for me.
The officer’s face changed when he watched it.
Vanessa was arrested for child endangerment and abuse.
She screamed as they cuffed her.
“You’re throwing me away for a dead woman!”
Noah flinched.
I covered his ears.
Grace followed them to the door.
“You mean his mother?” she said. “Yes. We still know her name.”
After Vanessa was gone, the house felt too quiet.
Noah looked up at me.
“Daddy, is Mommy mad?”
My heart broke.
“No, buddy.”
“She said Mommy wanted me outside.”
I knelt in front of him.
“Your mommy loved you more than anything. Vanessa lied.”
His lip trembled.
“Can Mommy Bear stay?”
I pulled him close.
“Always.”
That night, Noah slept in my bed.
I did not sleep.
I watched Laura’s video five more times.
Then I checked the trust files.
May you like
The last access request had been made three weeks ago.
By Vanessa’s attorney.
