Chapter 14 - MARGARET'S RECORDING
The strongest evidence came from Margaret herself.
The Hawthorne terrace had security cameras.
No audio.
But the interior kitchen did.
A smart-home microphone attached to the family communication system had recorded the minutes before dessert.
Margaret spoke with Daniel’s brother, Thomas.
“I’m giving Noah a taste.”
Thomas replied.
“Don’t.”
“He could react.”
Margaret laughed.
“That’s the point.”
My hands went cold.
Then.
“If nothing happens, Anna can finally stop acting like the boy is made of glass.”
Thomas answered.
“And if something does happen?”
Margaret said.
“Then she can use one of those expensive pens she carries everywhere.”
I stopped the audio.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
She had known.
She had anticipated a reaction.
She had expected me to treat it.
She had treated my son’s life-threatening allergy like a family experiment.
The child-safety investigation changed immediately.
So did Daniel.
May you like
He listened to the recording once.
Then walked into another room and was physically sick.
