Chapter 9 - LAURA'S STORY
Laura agreed to meet at an abandoned diner outside Madison.
Daniel brought another officer.
She almost left when she saw the second police car.
Daniel stopped her.
“If you want me to protect your daughters, I need the truth.”
Laura looked thinner than her photographs.
Exhausted.
She sat across from him.
“Michael gave Olivia the medicine.”
“Did you ever give it to her?”
Laura went silent.
Daniel’s voice hardened.
“Emma remembers.”
Laura closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“How many times?”
“Twice.”
“Why?”
Tears filled her eyes.
“Because I was trying to prove what Michael was doing.”
Daniel stared.
“You drugged your daughter to prove her father drugged her?”
“I used a tiny amount—”
“Stop.”
Laura flinched.
Daniel continued.
“Do not make it sound safe.”
She nodded, ashamed.
“I know.”
“Why didn’t you go to police?”
“Because Michael had recordings of me.”
“What recordings?”
“Me talking about the trust.”
Laura explained.
She had discovered Michael was planning to trigger the medical reserve.
He said Olivia’s repeated symptoms could qualify.
Laura argued.
Michael recorded only parts of the fights.
In one, Laura said:
“If the account opens, at least the girls’ future is secure.”
Michael later threatened to make it sound like she supported the scheme.
“So you tried to build your own proof.”
“Yes.”
Daniel was furious.
“You both used Olivia.”
Laura cried.
“Yes.”
That admission was the first thing that made Daniel believe parts of her story.
“Why disappear?”
“Because Eleanor found out I was collecting evidence.”
“Did Michael lock you underground?”
“Yes.”
“Did Eleanor know?”
Laura looked terrified.
“Yes.”
“Did she order it?”
“I don’t know.”
“What happened at Pine Ridge?”
“They took me there.”
“Voluntarily?”
Laura laughed bitterly.
“They told me if I didn’t sign, they’d call police and show the recordings.”
“Then you left?”
“A nurse helped me.”
“Who?”
Laura looked away.
“Rachel Reed.”
Daniel frowned.
“Reed?”
“Your sister.”
Daniel went still.
He had not spoken to Rachel in nine years.
She worked as a psychiatric nurse.
Daniel felt the case suddenly become personal.
“Why would my sister help you?”
May you like
Laura whispered:
“Because she knew Michael before I did.”
