CHAPTER FIVE The Lie That Cracked
CHAPTER FIVE
The Lie That Cracked
Detective Morrison found Lauren sitting alone in the hospital waiting room.
She hadn't stopped trembling since the police arrived at the house.
A paper cup of untouched coffee rested between her hands.
He sat across from her.
"Mrs. Walker."
She didn't look up.
"I've already given my statement."
"You told Officer Jenkins you never saw Tyler touch Bridget."
"I didn't."
"You also said you were helping your son cut cake."
"Yes."
Morrison slid a photograph across the table.
Lauren's eyes widened.
It was a still frame recovered from the backyard camera.
She was standing less than ten feet from Bridget.
The birthday cake was untouched behind her.
"You weren't cutting cake," Morrison said quietly.
"You were watching."
Lauren's lips parted, but no words came out.
"You've been married to Tyler for eleven years."
Silence.
"You know exactly how he gets when he loses control."
Still nothing.
"So let me ask you something."
He leaned closer.
"When Bridget hit the ground..."
"...what frightened you more?"
"The fall?"
"...or your husband's reaction?"
Lauren finally looked at him.
For just a second.
That was all Morrison needed.
She wasn't protecting the truth.
She was protecting Tyler.
Tyler, meanwhile, sat inside an interview room at the police station.
His expensive suit had been replaced with a gray holding jumpsuit.
He looked annoyed rather than frightened.
Across the table sat Morrison.
"You pushed your sister."
"I didn't."
"You threatened her."
"I was angry."
"You lied to the paramedics."
"I panicked."
"You asked Marcus to access the security system."
Tyler smiled.
"I asked him to check whether the cameras caught the accident."
"The accident?"
"Exactly."
Morrison folded his notebook shut.
"You're very careful with your words."
"I learned from my grandmother."
Tyler smiled again.
"But unlike Bridget..."
"I don't keep receipts."
Late that evening, Emma returned to Bridget's hospital room carrying fresh clothes and a laptop.
"You should sleep," Emma said.
"I can't."
Bridget stared through the window.
Rain had begun to fall outside.
"My parents came?"
Emma nodded.
"They weren't allowed in."
"What did they want?"
"They wanted you to withdraw your statement."
Bridget laughed bitterly.
"So nothing's changed."
Emma hesitated.
"There is one thing."
"What?"
"Lauren called."
Bridget looked up.
"What did she say?"
"Nothing."
Emma frowned.
"She just asked whether you were awake."
"And?"
"Then she hung up."
The next morning...
Lauren stood outside the hospital entrance.
She had dark circles beneath her eyes.
She checked over her shoulder three different times before walking inside.
Emma recognized her immediately.
"What are you doing here?"
"I need to see Bridget."
"No."
"Please."
Emma folded her arms.
"You stood there while Tyler blamed her."
"I know."
"You lied to the police."
"I know."
"You watched her mother tell her to stand up when she couldn't even move."
Lauren lowered her head.
"I know."
Emma's voice softened only slightly.
"Then why are you here?"
Lauren reached into her handbag.
Not for a phone.
Not for money.
For an old flip phone wrapped in a plastic freezer bag.
She handed it to Emma.
"Give this to Detective Morrison."
Emma frowned.
"What is it?"
Lauren's eyes filled with tears.
"The reason Tyler can never come home again."
Before Emma could ask another question...
May you like
Lauren turned around and walked away.
She never looked back.
