Chapter 16 - THE FALSE CHILD SERVICES REPORT
The retaliation came the next morning.
Two child-services investigators appeared at Marissa's apartment after an anonymous report claimed Owen was neglected and living in unsafe conditions.
Marissa called Adrian furious and terrified.
"Someone said I leave him alone at night."
She did not.
Her mother watched Owen during late shifts.
The report included photographs of her building, her work schedule, and a copy of her payroll file.
Information only a small group could access.
Ortiz traced the upload through a public terminal, but the supporting documents came from Richard's former executive assistant.
The assistant, Claire Moss, agreed to speak.
She had been sending Richard personnel information for years.
"He said Marissa was trying to manipulate Adrian through the baby," Claire whispered.
"Did you believe him?" Ortiz asked.
Claire started crying.
"I wanted to keep my job."
Child services cleared Marissa within hours.
But the story leaked online.
WIDOW IN WHITMORE CLAIM FACES NEGLECT QUESTIONS.
Adrian smashed his phone onto the desk.
Marissa picked it up.
"Stop breaking expensive things."
He stared at her.
She almost smiled.
Then she became serious.
"He wants me to quit."
"The trust claim?"
"Everything. He wants me embarrassed enough to disappear."
Adrian said, "You don't have to fight this publicly."
"Daniel did."
"And Daniel died."
The words came out harder than he intended.
Marissa went still.
Adrian lowered his voice.
"I don't want you or Owen hurt because of my family."
"Your family already hurt us. Silence didn't protect Daniel."
He had no answer.
That evening, Claire sent Ortiz one final archive from Richard's private calendar.
A meeting entry from the morning Daniel died.
7:10 A.M. - SOUTH PLATFORM - D.K. / R.W.
Richard had been at Harbor Point.
The official statement said he was in New York all day.
Then Ortiz called.
"We found Richard's car."
"Where?"
"At Harbor Point."
May you like
Adrian looked out at the rain.
The place Daniel died.
