Chapter 5 - LAUREN STRIKES BACK
“What allegation?”
Officer Daniels hesitated.
“Ms. Miller claims your husband threatened to physically harm her.”
James closed his eyes.
Of course she did.
“She hit our infant daughter.”
There was a pause.
“She what?”
“She slapped my six-month-old baby.”
The officer’s tone changed immediately.
“Was anyone else present?”
“Eight people.”
James held out his hand.
I put the phone on speaker.
Officer Daniels asked, “Captain Walker, did you threaten Ms. Miller?”
James answered calmly.
“I told her to leave the residence after she struck my child. I said if she remained, I would contact law enforcement.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
Mom appeared behind us.
“She’s lying to the police?”
I almost laughed.
“You’re surprised?”
Officer Daniels asked us to come to the station.
An hour later, after Emma was examined at an urgent care clinic and cleared, James and I walked into the police department.
Lauren was sitting in the lobby.
The second she saw us, she stood.
“You’re unbelievable.”
James ignored her.
She pointed at him.
“He threatened me!”
Officer Daniels stepped between them.
“Ms. Miller, sit down.”
Lauren looked offended.
“Why are you talking to me like that?”
“Sit down.”
She did.
We gave our statements.
Then Dad arrived.
Then Linda.
Then Uncle Mark.
Every one of them confirmed Lauren struck Emma.
Mom came last.
Lauren’s face changed when she saw her.
“Mom.”
Mom stopped several feet away.
For once, she didn’t rush to Lauren.
Officer Daniels asked her what she witnessed.
Mom stared at Lauren.
Lauren whispered, “Tell them.”
My mother’s lips trembled.
“Lauren slapped the baby.”
Lauren’s face emptied.
“What?”
“She slapped Emma.”
“Mom!”
“And James told her to leave.”
Lauren stood.
“You’re lying!”
“No.”
Mom started crying.
“I’ve lied for you enough.”
For the first time all night, Lauren looked scared.
The officer asked about the earlier incident when I was pregnant.
Lauren spun toward me.
“You told them about that?”
James’ eyes narrowed.
“You just confirmed it.”
She realized her mistake instantly.
Officer Daniels did too.
He reached for his notebook.
“What happened while Mrs. Walker was pregnant?”
Lauren backed away.
“Nothing.”
“You just said—”
“I want a lawyer.”
The room went quiet.
Officer Daniels nodded.
“That’s your right.”
Lauren grabbed her coat.
But before she could leave, another officer entered.
“Daniels?”
He handed him a folder.
Daniels opened it.
Then looked at Lauren.
“What?”
she snapped.
His expression became serious.
“Ms. Miller, there’s something else we need to discuss.”
May you like
He turned the folder toward her.
“Your name just came up in an open fraud investigation.”
