Chapter 8 - The Woman at the Station
Isabel sat in a plastic chair beneath a flickering light while her attorney, Maya Duarte, studied the court order.
"You should have called me before taking that job," Maya said.
"I did call. Five times."
"And I told you the judge hadn't ruled on our motion."
"Someone sent me a photograph of a locked door. My son was crying on the other side of it."
Maya's anger softened, but she didn't pretend the risk had disappeared. "We have to tell the truth about your decision. That gives us a chance to ask for a narrow emergency exception. Lying won't."
The detective assigned to the financial case arrived with a folder. Isabel expected another accusation. Instead, Detective Aaron Price asked where she'd been on the afternoon the disputed transfers occurred.
"At Caleb's kindergarten recital," Isabel answered. "I have a video."
"We found it," Price said. "The bank recorded the transfers from an address associated with Whitlock's office. You weren't there."
"I told them that a year ago."
"I know."
Maya filed the new evidence from the house and arranged a hearing for the next morning. Isabel was released after the court was informed and advised to avoid direct contact pending the ruling.
As they stepped outside, a reporter shouted, "Isabel, did you force your way into the Whitlock home?"
She ignored him until he asked, "Did you threaten your child?"
Isabel stopped. "My son is six. Please leave him out of your headlines."
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Her phone vibrated. An unknown number had sent a photograph of Caleb at school, taken from the far side of the playground fence.
Under it were six words: STOP NOW OR HE GOES AWAY.
