Chapter 9 - The Lie Under Oath
The judge denied Claire's request and issued temporary orders giving Daniel sole physical custody while the investigation continued.
Claire was allowed no unsupervised contact with the children.
Outside the courthouse, reporters waited because someone had leaked Daniel's name and Navy position to a local blog.
He wanted to shield Noah and Lily from every camera in the world.
Instead, he walked out a side entrance with his attorney.
"Who leaked it?" Daniel asked.
"Could be anyone."
"Claire?"
"Maybe. Or her brother."
By the time Daniel reached Rachel's house, his commanding officer had called.
Captain James Holloway did not sound angry.
He sounded concerned.
"Dan, public affairs flagged the story. I need to know if there's anything else coming."
Daniel told him everything he legally could.
Holloway was silent for a moment.
"Take care of your kids. Let us handle the noise."
Daniel exhaled.
"Thank you, sir."
"And Mercer?"
"Yes?"
"Document everything."
That advice became important six hours later.
Daniel received an email from an account using Noah's name.
The subject line read: DAD PLEASE DON'T BE MAD.
His stomach dropped.
The message contained a short video.
Noah sat at the kitchen table, staring down.
Claire's voice came from behind the camera.
"Tell Daddy what happened."
Noah whispered, "I hit Lily."
"And?"
"And I broke the medal box."
"And?"
Noah looked toward the camera, terrified.
"And Daddy yells when he comes home."
The clip ended.
Daniel watched it again.
Then he noticed something reflected in the microwave door.
A man stood behind Claire.
Evan.
And he was holding a sheet of paper.
The children had not simply been pressured.
They had been rehearsed.
Daniel forwarded the video to Detective Reed.
Three minutes later, Reed called.
"Don't delete anything."
"I won't."
"We just got a search warrant for Evan's apartment."
"What are you looking for?"
May you like
Reed paused.
"More than a script."
