Chapter 9 - THE COURTROOM
Derek looked like a grieving husband.
That was his performance.
Tailored suit.
Red eyes.
Quiet voice.
His attorney displayed photographs of Gaby begging between cars.
Shelter records.
Statements.
The fake psychiatric evaluation.
Then Derek testified.
“My only concern is my son.”
I watched Gaby's hand tremble.
Rebecca touched her wrist.
“Stay with me.”
When it was our turn, Rebecca dismantled the story piece by piece.
Photographs proved Gaby had been with me on the date of the fake evaluation.
Property records showed suspicious transfers.
Security video showed Mason breaking into my house.
Then Rebecca mentioned Unit 318.
For the first time, Brenda's face changed.
Barely.
But I saw it.
The judge denied Derek's emergency custody request.
Gaby kept Leo.
Outside the courthouse, she collapsed into my arms.
Then I noticed Brenda watching us from across the street.
She smiled.
My phone buzzed.
A photograph appeared.
Tyler.
Bruised.
Alive.
The message beneath it:
BRENDA KNOWS WHERE GABY IS STAYING.
May you like
I looked up.
Brenda's SUV was already disappearing into traffic.
