Chapter 6 - THE PROSECUTOR WHO OWED THEM
Officer Holloway read the order.
“This was signed less than twenty minutes ago.”
Grayson nodded.
“A judge found insufficient evidence for continued detention.”
“There are months of recordings.”
“Recordings that may have been edited.”
“There is blood evidence.”
“Not yet processed.”
“There is an illegal restraint site.”
“A rope on a porch is not proof.”
I watched him dismiss my life one sentence at a time.
“What about Lorraine?” I asked.
“She will also be released.”
Officer Holloway stepped closer.
“Who contacted you?”
“That is not your concern.”
“It becomes my concern when a domestic violence suspect receives special treatment before evidence review.”
Grayson’s smile faded.
“Be careful, Officer.”
“You are not speaking to a frightened witness.”
“No.”
“You are speaking to the investigator who heard Daniel admit what he did.”
Grayson looked at me.
“Mrs. Mercer, I strongly suggest you stop making public accusations.”
“I have not spoken publicly.”
“Then keep it that way.”
He placed a card on the table.
“We can arrange safe temporary housing.”
“In exchange for what?”
“Cooperation.”
“What does that mean?”
“You sign a statement saying the injuries may have resulted from a fall.”
My stomach turned.
Officer Holloway moved between us.
“This meeting is over.”
Grayson buttoned his jacket.
“Think carefully.”
“Your husband controls the home.”
“The car.”
“The bank accounts.”
“Your daughters’ health insurance.”
“If you destroy him, you may destroy yourself.”
I looked at my sleeping girls.
For years, Daniel had used those facts to silence me.
Now a prosecutor was doing the same thing.
“You forgot something,” I said.
Grayson turned.
“I already lost the thing I was most afraid to lose.”
My voice shook, but I continued.
“You cannot threaten me with survival anymore.”
Grayson left.
Officer Holloway immediately called her supervisor.
Within an hour, the state attorney general’s office was notified.
The evidence crossed county lines.
So did the suspected adoption scheme.
Federal investigators became involved.
But Daniel and Lorraine were still released.
They returned to the rental house before sunset.
News cameras waited outside.
Daniel walked to the porch pillar and placed one hand against it.
He told reporters I had fabricated the abuse after suffering a miscarriage.
Lorraine stood beside him holding a Bible.
“My son loved his wife.”
“She is ill.”
“She needs prayer.”
Then Daniel looked directly into the camera.
“Elena, bring my daughters home.”
Sophie saw the broadcast from my hospital room.
She began crying.
“Do we have to go?”
“No.”
“Daddy said the judge makes the rules.”
I held her face between my hands.
“Good judges listen to the truth.”
My phone rang.
The caller was blocked.
I answered.
Daniel’s voice whispered through the speaker.
May you like
“The recordings are only the beginning.”
“If you testify, I will tell them what you did to our first daughter.”
