Chapter 5 - SHE WANTED THEM BACK
Rebecca arrived at family court wearing white.
It was deliberate.
Soft white coat.
Pearl earrings.
Minimal makeup.
She looked like a grieving mother.
The cameras loved her.
Her attorney told reporters that a “confused military officer” had interfered in a private family matter.
I ignored them.
Rebecca didn't.
She stopped before entering the courthouse.
“I love those children.”
The cameras clicked.
“I made a terrible mistake under extreme emotional stress.”
She lowered her eyes perfectly.
“I only want my family back.”
I watched from across the hall.
Marco leaned toward me.
“She's good.”
“No.”
I watched Rebecca wipe away a tear that hadn't fallen.
“She's practiced.”
Inside the courtroom, Rebecca claimed she had intended a family friend to collect the twins.
The supposed friend was conveniently unreachable.
Then her attorney attacked me.
“Colonel Steel, you are not related to these children.”
“No.”
“You have no parental rights.”
“Correct.”
“You ordered an aircraft stopped.”
“I requested airport security intervene after witnessing two five-year-old children being abandoned.”
“You used your rank.”
“I used a telephone.”
A few people almost smiled.
Her attorney didn't.
Then Sarah testified.
She described the twins' behavior.
Their fear.
Their statements.
The judge listened carefully.
Then Rebecca took the stand.
“I was overwhelmed.”
She looked toward Lily and Owen.
“I miss them every second.”
Lily stared at the floor.
Owen held his teddy bear.
Rebecca reached toward them during recess.
Lily stepped behind me.
Rebecca's face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw rage underneath the smile.
She leaned closer.
“You think you're saving them?”
I didn't answer.
“You have no idea what you're interfering with.”
That interested me.
“Then tell me.”
Her smile returned.
“You'll find out.”
That afternoon, the judge denied her emergency custody request.
Temporary guardianship remained with CPS.
Rebecca walked out without looking at the twins.
Again.
That night, someone broke into Ruth Whitaker's house in Michigan.
Nothing valuable was stolen.
But every drawer had been opened.
Every closet searched.
May you like
And one photograph of Ethan, Lily, and Owen had been ripped apart.
Someone was still looking for something.
