Chapter 4 - Lily's SecretThe child advocacy center was painted in soft colors.
There were stuffed animals.
Crayons.
Cartoon pictures on the walls.
Everything designed to make children feel safe.
But Lily sat rigidly in a tiny chair.
Mark watched through the observation glass.
A specialist sat across from her.
"You can tell me anything, Lily."
The little girl hugged a stuffed rabbit.
"Grandma had a brown bottle."
"When did you see it?"
"At night."
"What did she do with it?"
Lily looked toward the door.
"She put drops in Mommy's water."
Mark's heart stopped.
"Did Grandma say anything?"
Lily nodded.
"She said Mommy was too weak."
The specialist waited.
Lily's voice became smaller.
"She said weak branches have to be pruned so strong branches can grow."
Mark closed his eyes.
A tear slipped down his face.
The specialist continued gently.
"Did Grandma threaten you?"
Lily nodded again.
"She said Mommy would die next time if I told Daddy."
Mark pressed his palm against the glass.
His daughter had been carrying that terror inside her tiny body.
For a six-year-old, Lily had been forced to become a witness.
And perhaps the bravest person in the entire family.
Detective Vance quietly entered the observation room.
"We have enough."
Mark turned.
"For what?"
"Attempted murder. Child endangerment. Witness intimidation."
Mark looked through the glass at Lily.
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Then he whispered:
"I want her to know she saved her mother."
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