CHAPTER 3 — Blood Is Not a Defense
Police officers arrived seven minutes later.
Detectives arrived fifteen minutes after that.
No one was allowed to leave.
The ballroom became a crime scene.
Every guest gave a statement.
Every phone was collected.
Every security file was copied.
Paige insisted it had been discipline.
"My parents raised us this way."
The detective didn't even look up.
"She's eight."
Paige hesitated.
"My father approved."
Roger straightened his jacket.
"We were correcting disrespect."
The detective finally looked at him.
"Sir..."
He slid the tablet across the table.
"...this isn't correction."
The paused image showed Roger pinning Ivy's tiny body to the floor.
"It is assault."
Roger's confidence cracked.
Diane tried another approach.
"This is a private family matter."
"No."
The detective closed his notebook.
"It became public when fifty witnesses watched."
Marcus sat beside Ivy in a private room upstairs while paramedics examined her.
Bruises covered one shoulder.
A deep welt stretched across her back.
The pediatric nurse quietly documented every injury.
Joanna held her daughter's hand.
"I'm sorry."
Ivy looked at her.
"You came."
Those two words shattered Joanna.
"I thought..."
Ivy whispered,
"...I thought nobody was going to help me."
Joanna couldn't answer.
Marcus could.
"We're leaving this family forever."
For once...
May you like
Joanna didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
