Chapter 9 - THE FIRST HEARING

The emergency custody hearing took place four days after I came home.

I wore my uniform.

Not for sympathy.

Because I had reported directly from deployment and hadn't even unpacked most of my belongings.

Rachel entered with an attorney.

Brad was nowhere in sight.

She looked different.

No expensive dress.

No wineglass.

No perfect makeup.

She wore a gray sweater and held tissues in both hands.

Anyone seeing her for the first time might have thought she was the victim.

Her attorney tried to explain the party as an emotional breakdown.

He described Rachel as a lonely military spouse.

He said she had received incomplete information.

He suggested that my return had created a chaotic misunderstanding.

Then Katherine stood.

"A misunderstanding does not purchase international airline tickets."

She placed the itinerary before the judge.

"A misunderstanding does not create a false casualty letter."

Another document.

"A misunderstanding does not raise more than sixty thousand dollars based on the fabricated death of a living man."

Another.

"And a misunderstanding does not lock a five-year-old child outdoors in near-freezing conditions for several hours."

Melissa's video played.

Rachel lowered her head.

I watched the judge's face change.

The video showed Brad carrying Lily toward the yard.

Lily was crying.

She screamed that she wanted her daddy.

Brad told her to stop saying my name.

Then Rachel appeared.

Her words were clear.

"Your daddy isn't coming back."

Lily screamed louder.

Rachel pushed the door shut.

Brad laughed.

Someone at the party said, "That's harsh."

Rachel responded.

"She needs to learn."

I had already seen the video twice.

It hurt just as much the third time.

The judge ordered temporary sole custody to remain with me.

Rachel would have no unsupervised contact with Lily.

A guardian ad litem would be appointed for Lily.

International travel was prohibited.

Rachel began sobbing.

Then she stood.

"Ethan."

The judge warned her to sit.

She ignored him.

"Ethan, please."

I looked at her.

"Tell them Brad did this."

She said.

Her attorney grabbed her arm.

Too late.

Everyone heard her.

Katherine turned slowly.

"Mrs. Walker."

Rachel stopped.

Katherine's voice was calm.

"Are you saying Mr. Collins was responsible?"

Rachel realized what she had done.

Her mouth opened.

Nothing came out.

Then the courtroom doors opened.

A police officer stepped inside.

He walked directly toward the prosecutor who had been observing the hearing.

They whispered.

The prosecutor's eyes moved to me.

Then to Rachel.

After the hearing, Katherine approached.

"Brad's truck was found this morning."

"Where?"

"At a bus station."

"Was he there?"

"No."

My stomach tightened.

"What was inside?"

She hesitated.

"Your passport."

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My missing cash.

And Lily's birth certificate.