Chapter 6
Detective Harris arrived that night.
By morning, Margaret was arrested for assault, child endangerment, and obstruction.
The investigation into Elena’s death reopened before sunset.
Reporters gathered outside the gate.
Luxury families hate scandal more than sin.
Daniel canceled every meeting.
He stayed home with Leo.
At first, Leo watched him like a stranger.
Then, slowly, he let Daniel sit near him.
Not hold him.
Not yet.
Near him.
That became the first victory.
Dr. Lane, Leo’s therapist, explained it gently.
“Do not force affection. Let safety become predictable.”
Daniel nodded.
He wrote it down.
I noticed.
I did not praise him.
He was doing what he should have done long ago.
Still, I noticed.
Margaret’s lawyers attacked me immediately.
They said I entered the home under false identity.
They said I wanted money.
They said I poisoned Leo against his grandmother.
I wanted to scream.
Mr. Hayes only smiled.
“Let them talk,” he said. “Then we show why you hid.”
The hospital records came back piece by piece.
Canceled appointments.
Medication changes.
Nurse complaints buried.
A night nurse named Patricia Cole had reported Margaret’s strange behavior after Elena died.
The report vanished.
Patricia was forced out.
We found her in Oregon.
When I called and said my name, she cried.
“Elena talked about you,” she whispered.
“What did she say?”
“That you would come for Leo.”
I pressed my hand over my mouth.
May you like
“I came too late.”
“No,” Patricia said. “You came.”
