Chapter 3 - The Fortress of Paper
Our first stop wasn't home; it was the pediatric trauma wing of St. Jude’s Memorial Hospital.
I knew how the legal system worked. Accusations without forensic proof could be twisted by expensive lawyers. I needed every millimeter of my daughter’s injuries documented under clinical lights.
Dr. Melissa Chen, the attending physician, handled Maya with profound gentleness. She swabbed the laceration inside Maya’s mouth, photographed the distinct fingerprint impressions bruising along her jawline, and noted the fine cake crumbs still caught in her hair.
"This isn't an accidental blow," Dr. Chen stated, signing her name forcefully across the intake assessment. "The force was delivered with full adult momentum. I’m lodging an immediate mandatory report with Child Protective Services."
"Thank you, Doctor," I replied. "Please make sure copies are routed directly to Detective Miller at the precinct."
While Maya rested on the examination bed, sipping warm apple juice, I made the most important call of my life.
Amanda Vance—Richard’s estranged sister, and one of the most ruthless family law attorneys in the state. Amanda had cut ties with Richard and Evelyn seven years earlier after they tried to cheat her out of her legal inheritance.
"Amanda," I said the moment the call connected. "It happened."
There was a heavy pause on the other end of the line. "Did he touch Maya?"
"He struck her in front of twenty witnesses. Daniel caught the strike on video and their prior conversation on audio. Richard is in county lockup."
May you like
Amanda took a deep, shuddering breath. "I’ve been waiting seven years for my brother to make a mistake this public. Listen to me carefully, Clara. Do not go back to that house. Go directly to my downtown office. By midnight, I will have an emergency ex parte protective order signed by a judge, barring both Richard and my mother from being within five hundred feet of either of you. We are going to strip them of everything."
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