Chapter 10 - No More Private Conversations
The detective’s name was Elena Ruiz.
She had a steady voice and no interest in Eleanor’s charm.
When I played the voicemail, she asked for the original file.
“Has she made any direct attempt to contact Lily?”
“The school call.”
“Anything else?”
“Not that I know of.”
Ruiz wrote that down.
Not that I know of.
Those five words had become the worst part of fatherhood.
The temporary court order came through later that week. Eleanor was barred from contacting Lily while the matter moved forward. Our attorney explained its terms carefully.
I wanted to hear “safe forever.”
What I got was a document, a plan, and people willing to act if she violated it.
We arranged for Eleanor to collect personal belongings from the house with a civil standby.
Lily stayed with Beth.
Mara advised me to keep the exchange brief and avoid any private discussion.
Eleanor arrived wearing a pale sweater I had bought her.
She stopped in the foyer and glanced up.
Looking for the camera.
“Do you feel powerful now?” she asked.
I stood beside the study door.
“Your things are in the guest room.”
She looked toward the stairs.
“Where’s Lily?”
“Not here.”
“Of course. You can’t let her hear my side.”
The officer reminded her why she was there.
Eleanor went upstairs.
When she came down, she carried two suitcases and the framed photograph from our wedding.
She held it toward me.
“Was any of it real to you?”
I looked at the picture.
Lily stood between us, missing a front tooth.
Her smile was enormous.
“It was real to her,” I said.
For the first time, Eleanor looked away.
Then she noticed a folder on the study desk.
Daniel’s name was printed on its tab.
Her expression changed.
“You met him.”
I said nothing.
“He always did know how to look innocent.”
The officer moved closer.
“Ma’am, let’s finish.”
Eleanor set the wedding photograph facedown on the hall table.
As she passed me, she whispered, “Ask him what Grace gave him before she died.”
Then she raised her voice, sweet and wounded.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for, Richard.”
After she left, I called Daniel.
He listened.
“Yes,” he said finally. “She gave me something.”
May you like
“What?”
“A recording. And I think you should hear it.”
