Chapter 8 - THE CAMERA MAX CARRIED
Leo remained in the hospital for four days.
On the third night, he asked for his old stuffed dog.
I returned to the estate with police to retrieve it.
The toy sat behind Claire’s photograph.
When I lifted the frame, a small memory card fell onto the table.
Leo had hidden it there.
A technician opened the files.
The card contained videos recorded with an old action camera.
Years earlier, I attached the camera to Max’s collar.
After the dog died, I placed it inside a garage box.
Leo had found it.
He had taught himself to use it.
The first recording showed Vanessa entering his room.
She held one of his superhero drawings.
“You think your father wants this childish garbage?”
“He puts them in his office.”
“He used to.”
She tore the drawing in half.
“He has important work now.”
“He is embarrassed by you.”
The second recording showed her removing dinner.
“You cried during the luncheon.”
“I was hungry.”
“You embarrassed me.”
“No food until tomorrow.”
The third recording began inside the wine room.
Leo must have hidden the camera behind a bottle rack.
Vanessa stood beside Graham.
Graham said:
“The behavioral file needs one more incident.”
Vanessa looked toward the locked door.
“I can provoke him tonight.”
“What about Mark?”
“Chicago keeps him until Friday.”
“His assistant confirmed it.”
My assistant.
Alan Pierce.
He had arranged the trip.
The supposed investor emergency in Chicago.
The last-minute meeting extension.
The hotel reservations.
The pressure to stay through Friday.
Police searched Alan’s communications.
Vanessa had paid him through a consulting company.
Alan created false business crises.
He blocked Leo’s calls.
He accessed my electronic signature.
He increased my travel because Vanessa told him it would stabilize my marriage and protect the company.
The camera captured Alan entering the wine room.
He handed Vanessa a folder.
“Mark’s flight lands at eight-forty Friday.”
“The transport leaves by seven.”
Graham asked:
“What if he books an earlier flight?”
Alan smiled.
“He never does.”
Vanessa answered:
“He did once after Claire died.”
“That was before he learned work is easier than grief.”
They understood me.
Not completely.
Enough to use my weaknesses.
Alan looked toward the locked door.
“Is the kid inside?”
“Yes.”
“He sounds scared.”
“He will survive.”
Graham asked:
“And if he doesn’t?”
Vanessa’s face did not change.
“Then the trust becomes easier.”
The same sentence from the luncheon recording.
Not a joke.
Not anger.
A calculation repeated in private.
The final video showed Leo alone.
He looked directly into the camera.
“Daddy, I don’t know if you watch these.”
“She says you don’t want me.”
“I’m sorry I make things hard.”
“I’m trying to be better.”
He wiped his face.
“If I go to the school, can you visit?”
May you like
The video ended.
I left the evidence room before anyone saw me collapse.
