Chapter 5 - RYAN TELLS THE TRUTH
Ryan sat alone in a juvenile interview room.
His feet didn’t touch the floor.
No brick.
No anger.
No tough expression.
He just looked small.
Claire hadn’t planned to see him.
In fact, when Ramirez suggested it, Claire said no.
Then Lily asked one question.
“Why does he hate me?”
Claire realized she needed an answer.
Not for Daniel.
Not for Ryan.
For Lily.
A social worker named Ms. Howard sat beside the boy.
Ryan looked up when Claire entered.
His face went white.
“I’m sorry.”
Claire sat across from him.
Ryan stared at his hands.
“How is she?”
“She needed stitches.”
His eyes filled.
“I didn’t mean…”
Claire’s voice sharpened.
“You swung a brick at her.”
“I know.”
“You could’ve killed her.”
“I know!”
He started crying.
Ms. Howard reached toward him, but Ryan pulled away.
“I know, okay?”
Claire forced herself to breathe.
“Why?”
Ryan wiped his nose on his sleeve.
“Uncle Travis said…”
He stopped.
“What did he say?”
“He said Daniel had to feel it.”
Claire’s stomach tightened.
“Feel what?”
“What it’s like when somebody takes your family.”
Ryan looked at her.
“He said you took my dad.”
Claire didn’t soften.
“I didn’t know you existed.”
“That’s what everybody says.”
“Because it’s true.”
“My mom knew.”
“Your mother lied to Daniel about you.”
Ryan’s face changed.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No!”
“She wrote him a letter.”
Ryan stood so fast his chair fell backward.
“She said he knew!”
Claire stared.
“She told you that?”
“Every time I asked!”
Ryan was breathing hard.
“She said he knew I was born. She said he saw me once and didn’t want me.”
Daniel had never seen Ryan.
Claire knew that much now.
“Ryan, that isn’t what happened.”
“You’re lying.”
“I have no reason to lie to you.”
“You hate me!”
“I hate what you did to my daughter.”
Ryan’s face crumpled.
Claire continued, quieter.
“But that doesn’t mean I want people lying to you.”
Ryan lowered his head.
“Uncle Travis said if I hurt Lily, Dad would understand.”
Claire felt rage climb into her chest.
“He told you to hit her?”
Ryan looked frightened.
“He said scare her.”
“With a brick?”
“He gave it to me.”
Claire went still.
“Travis gave you the brick?”
Ryan nodded.
Ms. Howard immediately stood and stepped out to call Ramirez.
Claire leaned forward.
“Ryan, listen to me. Where is Travis now?”
“I don’t know.”
“Where were you staying?”
“His motel.”
“Which motel?”
Ryan shook his head.
“I don’t know the name.”
“Think.”
“It had a blue sign.”
“Ryan.”
“I don’t know!”
Claire stopped pressing.
The boy looked exhausted.
“What happened to your mom?”
Ryan looked down.
“Car crash.”
“Were you with her?”
“No.”
“Was Travis?”
Ryan’s eyes lifted.
Claire saw fear.
“What?”
“He came to our apartment after.”
“After the crash?”
Ryan nodded.
“He said Mom was dead. Then he started packing my stuff.”
“That’s when he gave you the letter?”
“No.”
Ryan swallowed.
“I already had it.”
“How?”
“Mom gave me her backpack the night before she died.”
Claire’s pulse quickened.
“What did she say?”
Ryan rubbed his eyes.
“She said if anything happened to her, I should run.”
Claire leaned closer.
“Run from who?”
May you like
Ryan stared at her.
“Uncle Travis.”
