Chapter 7 - THE HOUSE HAD BEEN ARRANGED FOR A FIGHT
The police did not treat Grant’s theory as established fact.
They should not have.
Moving a vase was not a crime.
Adjusting a camera was not proof of planning violence.
Sending an angry text about an employee did not prove someone intended to provoke her.
But together, the details mattered enough to document.
Grant’s attorney advised him not to contact Vivienne directly.
He followed that advice.
For once.
Instead, Grant focused on Noah.
The baby became clingy after the incident.
He startled when doors slammed.
He cried when Grant tried to set him down near the sofa.
Dr. Porter said reactions after a frightening event could fade with consistent safety.
So Grant reorganized work.
Fewer late meetings.
No travel for several weeks.
Tessa returned only after her doctor cleared her and after she personally decided she wanted to.
Grant offered paid leave.
She refused additional money beyond what her contract already provided.
“I’m not staying because I need you to rescue me.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
He looked at her.
“I’m learning.”
Tessa nodded.
That was enough.
Then she gave him another piece of the pattern.
Three months earlier, Vivienne had asked detailed questions about Tessa’s employment contract.
Termination requirements.
Notice.
Whether Grant needed cause.
Whether Tessa could claim severance.
Tessa assumed Vivienne was preparing for marriage and household changes.
Now it felt different.
Grant pulled the contract.
Tessa could be dismissed without cause with eight weeks’ severance.
Vivienne had not needed an incident to get rid of her.
So why create one?
That question changed the investigation.
If the goal were simply firing Tessa, Vivienne had easier options.
Grant reviewed her message to Lauren again.
If there’s one more violent incident...
One more.
Not:
If Tessa becomes difficult again.
Violent.
Specific.
Grant suddenly wondered whether Tessa had been the only intended audience for the scene.
He looked at the camera.
Vivienne knew exactly where it was.
She knew what it recorded.
She moved its angle.
What if she did not want the camera to miss everything?
May you like
What if she wanted it to capture one particular thing?
Tessa striking her.
Related Stories
