Chapter 10 - The Recording
Simone’s investigator found the first major piece of evidence.
A recording.
Doreen had held meetings with Dr. Rusk in a private office at Silver Birch Women’s Center.
The clinic’s security system captured video but normally no sound.
Normally.
One camera had recently been replaced.
Its microphone had accidentally remained enabled.
The recording showed Doreen seated across from Dr. Rusk.
Doreen slid an envelope across the desk.
Dr. Rusk opened it.
Then Doreen spoke.
“My daughter-in-law has always been unstable.”
Dr. Rusk asked,
“Has she ever been diagnosed?”
“No.”
“Hospitalized?”
“No.”
“Threatened self-harm?”
Doreen paused.
“Not yet.”
Leah replayed those two words.
Not yet.
Dr. Rusk leaned back.
“I cannot fabricate symptoms.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
Doreen smiled.
“I’m asking you to recognize them when they appear.”
Another envelope crossed the desk.
Dr. Rusk didn’t return it.
The second recording was worse.
Nathan sat beside his mother.
Doreen placed the custody petition in front of him.
Nathan hesitated.
“I don’t like this.”
Doreen replied,
“You don’t have to like it.”
Nathan stared at the signature line.
“What happens to Leah?”
“Treatment.”
“For how long?”
“As long as necessary.”
Nathan picked up the pen.
And signed.
Leah watched her husband’s hand move across the page.
No threat.
No gun.
No physical force.
Just cowardice.
Evelyn paused the video.
“That is enough to destroy the custody petition.”
Leah looked at her.
“Is it enough to charge them?”
Evelyn’s expression was careful.
“That depends on what investigators find.”
Leah looked down at Owen.
“I don’t want revenge.”
Evelyn waited.
May you like
Leah finished quietly.
“I want them unable to do this to another woman.”
