Chapter 8 - The Report That Reached the Whole Family
Adding Linda changed everything.
The court restricted both parents from contacting Erin while the investigation continued. Linda moved temporarily into Owen’s apartment in Cincinnati after Frank blamed her for the text messages.
Walsh Heating and Cooling’s largest property-management client suspended new work after learning Frank was under investigation for felony assault and evidence tampering.
Employees began calling Erin.
Some asked what happened.
Others demanded that she withdraw the report before nineteen families lost their income.
Frank’s attorney sent a settlement proposal.
Frank would pay Erin’s medical bills and replace her lost wages if she amended her statement to describe the garage incident as “a family confrontation followed by an accidental fall.”
Linda would be omitted entirely.
Erin declined.
Frank violated the protection order that evening by calling from the company office.
“Leave your mother out of this.”
“You left me on a garage floor.”
“She panicked.”
“She summoned you.”
“She didn’t know what I would do.”
“Did you?”
Silence.
Erin continued.
“You disabled the camera.”
“You were threatening to destroy all of us over something that didn’t concern you.”
“You were cheating on Mom.”
“My marriage is none of your business.”
“You made it my business when you broke my skull.”
His breathing changed.
Then he said something Erin had not expected.
“Your mother cannot survive this.”
He did not ask Erin to protect the company.
He did not mention Rebecca.
He was afraid of what Linda’s involvement would reveal.
Detective Bell documented the illegal call. The judge tightened the order and prohibited Frank from using employees or relatives to relay messages.
Owen called Erin afterward.
“Dad threw Mom out.”
“She’s staying with you?”
“For now.”
“How is she?”
“She barely sleeps.”
Erin closed her eyes.
The old instinct returned: ask whether Linda had eaten, whether she had medication, whether she needed clothes.
Then Erin remembered her mother watching Frank twist her arm.
“She has you,” Erin said.
Owen’s voice hardened.
“She had you too.”
“No. She had access to me.”
Erin ended the call before guilt could reverse her decision.
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Two days later, Rebecca’s attorney contacted Detective Bell.
Rebecca was ready to provide the flash drive.
