Chapter 2 - The Woman in Red

I kept my eyes almost shut as Margaret came toward me. The last thing I wanted was for her to know I'd reached my father.

"Ethan," she called, "how much did the girl see?"

"Everything."

"Then tell her Leah slipped. Children get confused."

A small sob sounded above us. Sophie had not gone to her room. She was gripping the banister with both hands.

"I didn't get confused," she said.

Margaret looked up. "Sweetheart, your mother lost her balance."

"Daddy pushed her. I saw his hands."

I wanted to reach for her. A bolt of pain stopped me.

From the phone beneath my palm came my father's voice, faint but unmistakable. "Leah, stay with me. I've called nine-one-one."

Margaret crouched beside me and wiped a spot on the stair rail with the cuff of her blazer. Then she lifted my head as if she were being kind.

"Leah, can you hear me?"

"Don't touch me," I managed.

Her fingers tightened at the back of my neck.

"You need to understand something," she said softly. "This family cannot afford one of your dramatic accusations."

Ethan returned carrying Sophie's stuffed fox. My daughter followed him, crying so hard she was hiccuping.

"Mommy, wake up. Please."

"I am awake, baby." My words came out in a whisper. "Look at me."

Margaret straightened. "Ethan, take her outside."

"No!" Sophie shouted. "I'm staying with Mommy!"

A siren sounded in the distance.

Ethan froze. "You called an ambulance?"

Margaret stared at him. "I didn't."

My father spoke into the open call, louder this time. "Leah, police and paramedics are on the way. I'm five minutes behind them."

Margaret spotted the phone.

Her face changed.

"Who did you call?"

I could hardly breathe, but I found enough air for an answer.

"Someone who believes me."

She reached down for the device. Sophie moved first. My little girl snatched it off the floor and ran toward the front door.

"Grandpa!" she yelled into the speaker. "Grandpa, Daddy hurt Mommy!"

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Margaret lunged after her.

And for the first time in nine years of marriage, Ethan looked frightened of his mother.