Chapter 3 - THE FIRST POLICE REPORT
The police arrived before Elena could ask what inheritance Margaret meant.
Two officers entered the house through the front entrance.
A third came around the side.
Julian greeted them downstairs.
Of course he did.
By the time officers reached the second floor, Julian had turned himself into the concerned son.
“My mother gets confused.”
“She’s been declining.”
“My sister came in and upset her.”
“She locked herself in with her.”
Elena heard every word through the door.
So did Margaret.
The old woman looked almost ashamed.
That made Elena furious.
Officer Daniel Reyes knocked twice.
“Ms. Vance? Elena Vance?”
“Yes.”
“This is Officer Reyes with Westbrook Police. I’m here with Officer Miller. Can you open the door?”
Judge Thorne stayed on speaker while Elena opened it three inches.
She saw badges.
Then opened wider.
Reyes stepped in.
His eyes went immediately to Margaret.
To the coat hanging over the bathtub.
To the bruises.
His expression changed.
“What happened?”
Margaret could not answer.
Elena did.
“My mother says my brother and Chloe caused those injuries and are keeping her here against her will.”
Officer Miller moved toward Margaret.
“Ma’am, are you safe speaking in front of your daughter?”
Margaret nodded.
“Would you prefer Elena leave?”
“No.”
“Would you prefer Julian or Chloe present?”
Margaret recoiled.
“No!”
The answer was immediate enough that both officers looked at each other.
Reyes stepped into the hall and told Julian and Chloe to remain downstairs.
Julian protested.
Loudly.
Officer Reyes shut him down.
“Sir, this is not optional right now.”
For the first time, Elena heard someone speak to Julian without negotiating.
It steadied her.
Paramedics arrived.
Margaret allowed examination only if Elena stayed beside her.
The bruises were photographed.
Wrist marks documented.
Dehydration noted.
A healing rib injury was suspected because Margaret winced when breathing deeply.
The paramedic asked:
“When did this happen?”
Margaret whispered:
“I fell.”
Elena looked at her.
Margaret corrected herself.
“He pushed me.”
“Who?”
“Julian.”
“When?”
“Last week.”
Elena turned away.
She wanted to be sick.
Officer Miller asked:
“And your wrists?”
Margaret’s eyes shut.
“Chloe.”
The room went completely still.
Elena whispered:
“Mom.”
Margaret shook her head.
“I made her angry.”
“No.”
“I tried to leave.”
That sentence mattered.
“What happened when you tried to leave?” Officer Miller asked.
Margaret looked at Elena.
Then at the door.
“Chloe locked me in the guest room.”
Elena’s mouth went dry.
“For how long?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hours?”
Margaret nodded.
“Did anyone restrain you?”
“Yes.”
“With what?”
Margaret whispered:
“A belt.”
Elena had to sit.
The bathroom tiles beneath her suddenly felt too far away.
Officer Reyes came back in.
“Ms. Vance, we’re arranging medical transport and contacting Adult Protective Services.”
Julian shouted from downstairs.
“You are not taking her anywhere!”
Reyes stepped into the hall again.
“Sir, stay where you are.”
Julian ignored him.
He came up three steps before another officer blocked him.
Margaret heard the confrontation.
Her breathing became fast.
Elena stood and shut the bathroom door again.
Not locked this time.
Just closed.
She held her mother’s face.
“Look at me.”
Margaret tried.
“You’re leaving this house.”
“But—”
“You’re leaving.”
“They’ll take everything.”
“Let them try.”
Margaret cried.
“You don’t know what they have.”
Elena looked at Judge Thorne’s phone still connected on the counter.
He had heard it.
Everything.
He spoke quietly.
“I think I know part of it.”
Elena stared at the screen.
“Then tell me.”
May you like
Thorne answered:
“Not over the phone.”
