Chapter 3 - THE REPORT THAT STARTED TOO LATE
By morning, the official account had already begun hardening into paperwork.
A detective from another shift interviewed Frank in a consultation room.
According to the incident log, deputies had been dispatched to Cassidy’s address at 8:46 p.m. after a neighbor called 911.
The neighbor reported Lydia pounding on her door and saying her mother needed help.
Frank checked the time on his own phone.
At 8:12, Cassidy had sent him a text.
Can you call me when you get this?
He had been outside Livingston helping a friend move equipment into a barn. His phone had stayed in the truck.
He called back at 8:58.
No answer.
The detective explained that Trent’s location had not yet been confirmed and that investigators were attempting to contact him through counsel.
Then Frank asked about Brock.
“Deputy Timmons was at the scene?”
The detective checked his notes.
“He arrived after first responders.”
“No. Before.”
The detective looked up.
Frank placed Lydia’s drawing on the table.
“I’m not asking you to treat crayons like forensic evidence. I’m asking you to tell me why your deputy’s cruiser was at my daughter’s house before your system says anybody was dispatched.”
The detective’s posture changed.
There was no entry.
No service call.
No welfare check.
No domestic disturbance logged before 8:46.
Frank felt something cold move through him.
Someone had gone to Cassidy’s house without creating an official record.
That afternoon Cassidy woke.
Her voice was hoarse.
Frank sat beside her bed and told her Lydia was safe.
Cassidy shut her eyes.
“Where?”
“With me.”
She nodded once.
Then Frank asked the question he could not stop carrying.
“Was Brock at your house?”
Her eyes opened.
For several seconds she simply looked at him.
Then she whispered, “How do you know?”
Frank reached for her hand.
Cassidy pulled hers away.
That hurt more than he expected.
“I should’ve listened sooner,” he said.
“You should have.”
He took it.
Then Cassidy said, “I didn’t call Brock.”
Frank leaned forward.
“Then who did?”
May you like
Cassidy stared toward the dark hospital window.
“Trent.”
