Chapter 6 - The People Who Needed Proof
Emily spent the night in a confidential apartment arranged through the advocacy center.
The unit smelled faintly of bleach and old carpet. Someone had left two unopened boxes of macaroni in the cabinet. Emily placed Lucy’s favorite cereal on the counter even though Lucy was not there.
At nine the next morning, her attorney, Laura Mendel, explained the limits of what could happen quickly.
Emily could request a temporary protection order. She could file for legal separation and temporary custody. She could document the financial withdrawals. But Caleb was Lucy’s legal parent, and there was no existing custody order preventing him from keeping their daughter until a judge reviewed the case.
“The hospital record says you reported a crash,” Laura said.
“I was afraid.”
“I believe you. Caleb’s attorney will still use it.”
Emily called the hospital and asked to amend her account. Marissa connected her with a social worker, and Emily disclosed the assault in full.
By afternoon, Caleb had responded.
He told Lucy’s school that Emily was medically unstable and not authorized to pick her up. He sent Hannah’s signed statement to his attorney. He contacted Emily’s employer again, claiming she had become confused after the crash and might endanger patients.
The dental practice placed Emily on unpaid medical leave pending clearance.
Her health insurance came through that job.
The fractures in her face required follow-up care.
Every decision now carried a bill.
Hannah agreed to accompany Emily to the protection-order hearing, then backed out after receiving a letter from Caleb’s lawyer warning that changing her statement could expose her to accusations of lying under oath.
“I have two kids and a teaching license,” Hannah said over the phone. “I can’t walk into court and say I signed something I didn’t read.”
“You can say exactly what happened.”
“What if nobody believes me?”
Emily looked around the empty apartment.
“Then you’ll know how I feel.”
Hannah cried quietly but still did not agree.
Later, Diane allowed Lucy one brief phone call.
“Mom?” Lucy whispered.
“I’m here, sweetheart.”
“Dad said your brain made you crash.”
Emily closed her eyes.
“I got hurt, but my brain didn’t make it happen.”
“Are you coming home?”
“I’m working on it.”
In the background, Caleb said, “Time’s up.”
Lucy rushed out one last sentence.
“Grandma says I shouldn’t tell you about the office boxes.”
The call ended.
Emily stared at the phone.
Hart Roofing’s office was attached to Diane’s house.
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If boxes were being moved, the financial records might disappear before Emily could prove why Caleb had taken their money.
But to obtain them, someone inside the family would have to stop protecting him.
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