Chapter 5 - Emily’s Yellow Folder
Mark called Diane back eleven times.
She ignored every call.
Detective Cole contacted the patrol unit nearest the Hale estate.
Richard refused to let the officers inside without a warrant.
The emergency custody order gave Diane and Richard temporary control.
It did not give the police permission to search their home.
Laura began calling every judge she knew.
At two thirty in the morning, Mark received another photograph.
The yellow folder lay open on Richard’s desk.
Several pages had been removed.
The message beneath the photograph contained only five words.
SOME SECRETS SHOULD STAY BURIED.
Mark remembered the day Emily had created the folder.
She had been sitting at the kitchen table while Rosie slept in a bassinet nearby.
“What are you working on?”
“Insurance documents.”
Emily had smiled and closed the folder.
“Boring adult things.”
Mark had never seen it again.
After Emily died, Diane volunteered to organize Emily’s belongings.
She packed boxes.
She canceled subscriptions.
She collected documents.
Mark had barely been able to get out of bed.
He had thanked her for handling everything.
Now he understood that Diane had taken more than responsibility.
She had taken control.
At sunrise, Laura secured an emergency hearing.
Judge Price was unavailable.
A different judge agreed to review the hospital records and camera footage.
Mark entered the courthouse carrying Rosie’s stuffed rabbit.
Diane and Richard sat across the aisle.
Rosie was not with them.
Mark looked at Caroline Wells.
“Where is my daughter?”
“She is being evaluated by a child psychologist.”
“Chosen by whom?”
Caroline checked the file.
“Dr. Samuel Voss.”
Laura turned sharply.
“Richard Hale sits on the board of Dr. Voss’s private clinic.”
Richard smiled without looking at them.
The judge entered.
Laura presented the medical photographs first.
She presented the three baby monitor recordings.
Diane’s attorney stood.
“The recordings have been edited.”
“They were downloaded directly from the provider.”
“The provider has not authenticated them.”
Laura looked at the judge.
“We requested immediate authentication.”
Richard’s attorney handed the judge another document.
“We also have a preliminary psychological statement from Rosie.”
Mark’s stomach tightened.
The judge read silently.
“What does it say?”
The judge looked at Mark.
“It states that Rosie is afraid of your anger.”
“She is afraid I will be taken away.”
“The report says she witnessed you strike her aunt.”
“After her aunt hurt her.”
“The child apparently blames herself for your violent behavior.”
Mark turned to Diane.
She kept her eyes lowered.
Laura stood.
“Your Honor, the psychologist has known the grandparents socially for years.”
“That is an allegation.”
“It is a documented financial relationship.”
The judge removed his glasses.
“I am not comfortable returning the child to either party until this is investigated.”
Mark gripped the table.
“What does that mean?”
“Rosie will be placed with an approved temporary guardian.”
Diane finally looked alarmed.
Her attorney whispered to her.
The judge continued.
“Neither the father nor the grandparents may have unsupervised contact.”
Mark swallowed his anger.
“Can I see her?”
“Under supervision.”
“When?”
“Once the county arranges it.”
“That could take days.”
“I understand.”
“No, Your Honor.”
“My daughter believes I abandoned her.”
The judge’s voice softened.
“Then remain calm and allow the process to work.”
Mark almost answered.
Laura touched his arm.
He forced himself to sit.
After the hearing, Diane approached him in the hallway.
“You did this.”
“You put her in danger, and now strangers have her.”
Mark stared at his mother.
“Where is Emily’s folder?”
“I do not know what you are talking about.”
“You sent me the photograph.”
“I sent you nothing.”
Bethany stood several feet behind her.
For the first time, she did not look smug.
She looked frightened.
Mark stepped closer.
“What was in the folder?”
Diane moved between them.
“Stay away from your sister.”
Bethany’s eyes met Mark’s.
Her lips barely moved.
“Emily knew.”
Diane grabbed Bethany’s arm.
“Be quiet.”
Mark followed them toward the elevator.
“What did Emily know?”
The elevator doors began closing.
Bethany pulled free from Diane.
“She knew your father was stealing from Rosie.”
The doors shut.
Laura stood beside Mark.
“Stealing what?”
Mark looked down at the stuffed rabbit in his hands.
“I have no idea.”
The rabbit suddenly vibrated.
A faint ringing sound came from inside its body.
Mark found a small zipper beneath one ear.
May you like
Inside the stuffing was an old mobile phone.
The screen lit up with Emily’s photograph.
