Chapter 2: The Emergency Form
The paper had Aaron's name on it.
That was the first thing he noticed.
The second was the signature.
It looked almost exactly like his.
He stared at the photocopied form on Principal Holloway's desk.
"What's this?""
Holloway folded her hands.
"The school received this document this morning.""
Aaron picked it up.
At the top, in bold letters, it read:
*EMERGENCY FAMILY SAFETY PLAN*
Below it were Lily's name, date of birth, address, school information, emergency contacts.
And a section labeled:
*Individuals prohibited from unsupervised contact.*
Aaron read his own name.
His fingers went cold.
"You're telling me my wife submitted this?""
"Yes.""
"And she says I'm dangerous?""
Holloway's eyes softened.
"I am not making that accusation, Mr. Blake.""
"But somebody did.""
She didn't answer.
Aaron turned the page.
There were handwritten notes.
*Child reports fear when father becomes angry.*
*Father has threatened to take child away from mother.*
*Mother believes escalation is possible.*
Aaron's breathing became shallow.
"Lily never said this.""
Holloway remained quiet.
Aaron pointed at the page.
"I've never threatened to take my daughter away from anyone.""
Lily sat in a chair near the wall, clutching her backpack.
"Dad?""
Aaron immediately lowered the paper.
"Yeah, baby?""
"Are you mad?""
He looked at her.
"I'm upset.""
"At Mommy?""
Aaron paused.
"I don't want you worrying about grown-up things.""
She nodded.
Then she whispered, "Mommy was crying last night.""
Aaron's chest tightened.
"Why?""
"I don't know.""
Holloway stood.
"Mr. Blake, I understand this is difficult, but until we clarify the document, we have to follow the instructions we received.""
Aaron nodded slowly.
"What happens now?""
"We've contacted the district safety coordinator. And because the form requests law-enforcement notification if you appear, the school resource officer has been informed.""
Aaron looked toward the door.
"Is he here?""
"Yes.""
As if summoned by the question, someone knocked.
The door opened.
Officer Daniel Reed stepped inside.
Aaron knew him.
Not personally, but enough.
Reed had been assigned to Brookhaven for three years. He was white, early forties, broad-shouldered, and usually joking with students during morning drop-off.
Today he didn't smile.
"Mr. Blake.""
"Officer.""
Reed looked at Lily.
"Hey, Lily.""
She didn't answer.
Reed looked back at Aaron.
"I need to ask you a few questions.""
Aaron gave a humorless laugh.
"Apparently everyone does.""
"I understand.""
"No, you don't.""
Reed waited.
Aaron pointed at the paperwork.
"My wife filed this without telling me.""
"I know.""
"And now I'm being treated like a criminal in front of my daughter.""
"I know.""
"Do you?""
Reed's expression tightened.
"I have to follow procedure.""
Aaron nodded.
"Then ask.""
Reed sat down.
"Has there been any physical violence between you and your wife?""
"No.""
"Any threats?""
"No.""
"Arguments?""
Aaron almost smiled.
"We're married.""
Reed didn't react.
Aaron sighed.
"Yes. We argue.""
"Any argument recently involving Lily?""
"No.""
"Did you tell Emma you would take Lily and leave?""
"No.""
Reed wrote something down.
Aaron leaned forward.
"Officer, I need you to understand something.""
"I'm listening.""
"My wife and I had a disagreement two days ago.""
"About?""
"Money.""
"What about money?""
Aaron hesitated.
"She wanted to withdraw a large amount from our joint savings.""
"How large?""
"Forty thousand dollars.""
Reed stopped writing.
"Did she explain why?""
"She said she needed it.""
"For what?""
"She wouldn't tell me.""
Reed looked up.
"And what did you say?""
"I told her I wouldn't agree to it until I understood where the money was going.""
Holloway exchanged another glance with Reed.
Aaron noticed.
"What?""
Reed closed his notebook.
"Did Emma mention anyone else?""
Aaron frowned.
"Who?""
"Marcus.""
The room seemed to tilt.
Aaron looked toward Lily.
Her head was down.
"Why are you asking about Marcus?""
Reed didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "Because Marcus was listed as Lily's alternate pickup person on the new form.""
Aaron's face hardened.
"He's my brother-in-law.""
"I know.""
"Why would he be involved?""
Reed glanced at Holloway.
"That's what we're trying to determine.""
Aaron's phone vibrated again.
This time, the message wasn't from Emma.
It was from an unknown number.
*You need to stop asking questions about the money.*
Aaron stared at the screen.
Another message appeared.
*Or Lily won't be the only person you lose.*
His blood ran cold.
Reed noticed his face.
"What is it?""
Aaron slowly turned the phone toward him.
Reed read the messages.
Then his entire demeanor changed.
"Mr. Blake," he said quietly, "when did you receive this?""
"Just now.""
Reed stood.
"Don't respond.""
"Who is this?""
"I said don't respond.""
Aaron looked at Lily.
Then back at Reed.
May you like
And suddenly the paperwork on the desk didn't feel like the beginning of the problem.
It felt like evidence of how long the problem had already been running.
