Chapter 4 - What Ethan Heard
The forensic interview happened that afternoon in a room with soft chairs, toys, and a camera Ethan was told he could ignore.
Daniel watched from behind one-way glass with Ortiz.
The interviewer never fed Ethan words. She asked what happened, then let him talk.
"Grandma was mad," Ethan said. "She told Mom, 'You don't get to steal from my son and call it a mistake.'"
Daniel flinched.
"What happened next?"
"Mom said Grandma was trying to ruin our family. Grandma said Mom already did that."
Ethan twisted his sleeve.
"Then Grandma said, 'I copied everything. Daniel will see it tonight.'"
"What did your mom do?"
"She looked at the hallway."
"Did she see you?"
"No. I was sitting on the floor by the bathroom."
"Then what?"
Ethan started crying silently.
"Mom grabbed Grandma. Grandma said, 'Get your hands off me.' Then Mom pushed her. Hard."
Daniel shut his eyes.
Ortiz didn't.
"And after Grandma fell?"
"Mom ran down two steps. Then she stopped. She looked at Grandma. Then she ran to Grandma's room."
"What did she take?"
"A red folder and Grandma's phone."
When the interview ended, Daniel sat alone in the hallway until Olivia appeared.
"Did you enjoy that?" she asked.
He looked up slowly. "Enjoy what?"
"Letting strangers interrogate our eight-year-old so you can build a case against his mother."
"He described you pushing her."
"He's eight."
"He's terrified of you."
Olivia's face cracked.
"I am his mother."
"Then why did he whisper before bed last night, 'Don't let Mom come get me'?"
Olivia stepped back.
Daniel's phone rang. Unknown number.
He answered.
A man's voice said, "Mr. Mercer? I think I have something that belongs to you."
"Who is this?"
"I found a phone in the trash behind the shopping center on Willow. Screen's cracked, but it still turns on. Your number is listed as ICE contact."
Daniel looked at Ortiz.
"What kind of phone?"
"Silver iPhone. Pink case."
Margaret's phone.
May you like
The man lowered his voice.
"There's also a voice memo on it. Your name is in the recording."
