Chapter 6 - Susan Keller Works for Rachel
Rebecca found Susan Keller quickly.
She was not an old family friend.
She was a licensed private family-placement consultant.
Her business specialized in temporary guardianship arrangements during
custody disputes.
David felt cold.
Rachel insisted she had only sought advice because their marriage had
been difficult.
David did not deny that.
They had argued for months.
He worked too much.
Rachel felt ignored.
But they had never discussed separating the children.
Then Rebecca discovered Rachel had paid Susan $18,000 from a private
account.
The service agreement described Lily as:
“Minor child requiring transitional placement before parental
litigation.”
David read the sentence twice.
“What litigation?”
Rachel said nothing.
Noah sat on the staircase listening.
Then he spoke.
“Mom has a folder.”
Rachel spun around.
“Noah, stop.”
He looked terrified.
David did not pressure him.
Noah walked upstairs anyway.
Minutes later he returned carrying a gray folder.
On the cover:
DAVID MERCER — INCIDENT LOG.
Inside were dates, photographs, and written descriptions of David’s
supposed angry outbursts.
Some incidents had never happened.
May you like
Others had been distorted beyond recognition.
Rachel had been building a case.
