Chapter 3 - Grandma Knew About The Visit
Marcus's mother arrived before the police did.
Evelyn Reed stepped through the front door wearing the navy coat she had owned for fifteen years and the expression of a woman prepared for an argument.
Marcus met her in the foyer.
“Did you know Claire took Maya to a placement agency?”
Evelyn stopped.
Behind Marcus, Claire whispered, “Don't.”
Evelyn ignored her.
“Yes.”
Marcus felt something inside him break.
“You knew?”
“I knew she had an appointment.”
“With my daughter.”
“Yes.”
“And you didn't call me?”
Evelyn's eyes filled with regret.
“I should have.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“I thought Claire was exaggerating.”
“About what?”
Evelyn looked toward the den.
“About Maya.”
Marcus stared.
“My seven-year-old daughter?”
Claire stepped closer.
“She has been having problems.”
“What problems?”
“She wakes up at night. She cries when you travel. She gets angry when I ask her to do anything.”
Marcus almost laughed.
“Her mother died.”
The room went silent.
Three years earlier, Marcus's wife, Jenna, had been killed by a drunk driver on Interstate 95.
Maya had been four.
Marcus had spent the next two years rebuilding their lives one morning at a time.
Then Claire entered them.
Smart.
Patient.
Funny.
At first, Maya liked her.
Marcus had believed that meant they were healing.
Evelyn spoke softly.
“Marcus, nobody is saying Maya is bad.”
“Claire told her I was tired of her.”
Evelyn turned sharply.
“What?”
Claire looked away.
Marcus pointed toward the dining room.
“She tore up Maya's birthday wish because Maya wanted more time with me.”
Evelyn's expression changed.
“That wasn't part of what you told me.”
Claire became defensive.
“She depends on him for everything.”
“She is seven,” Evelyn said.
“Exactly. She should be able to sleep without climbing into our room.”
Marcus stared at Claire.
Maya hadn't climbed into his room in months.
“She's been doing that?”
Claire hesitated.
“Sometimes.”
“When?”
“When you're traveling.”
That landed differently.
Marcus traveled twice a month for his commercial construction company.
Usually two nights.
Sometimes three.
He had always believed Maya stayed with Claire willingly.
“What happens when I'm gone?”
“Nothing happens.”
Marcus heard movement behind him.
Maya stood at the den doorway.
Daniel was beside her.
She had heard.
“Maya,” Marcus said gently, “you should be watching your movie.”
“I don't want to.”
She looked at Claire.
Then at Evelyn.
“Grandma said I had to try harder.”
Evelyn's face fell.
“Oh, honey.”
Marcus turned.
“You talked to her about this?”
Evelyn looked ashamed.
“Claire said Maya was refusing rules.”
“What rules?”
Claire answered.
“Sleeping in her own room. Finishing dinner. Not calling you constantly when you're working.”
Maya whispered, “I only called because she locked your office.”
Marcus froze.
“My office?”
Claire shook her head.
“That's not what happened.”
Maya continued.
“You said Daddy didn't want me touching his stuff anymore.”
Marcus stared at Claire.
He had never said that.
Never.
He knelt beside Maya.
“What else did Claire tell you I didn't want?”
Maya looked frightened.
Claire interrupted.
“This is exactly why she needs professional help. She twists everything.”
Marcus stood.
“No.”
Claire blinked.
“No what?”
“You don't get to call her confused every time she remembers something inconvenient.”
Evelyn sat down slowly.
Marcus could see guilt moving across his mother's face.
She had believed Claire.
Maybe because Claire spoke like an adult.
Maybe because grief in children was messy and inconsistent.
Maybe because believing a calm explanation was easier.
The doorbell rang.
Two officers stood outside.
Marcus had called them after learning about the placement agency.
He showed them the note.
Claire denied writing it.
The officers documented everything but explained that taking a child to an appointment, by itself, might not establish a crime if Claire had been acting with apparent parental permission.
Marcus stared at her.
“Parental permission?”
Claire looked down.
One officer noticed.
“Ms. Walsh, did you present yourself as Maya's legal guardian?”
Claire didn't answer.
The officer repeated the question.
Finally, Claire whispered, “I had a letter.”
Marcus's skin went cold.
“What letter?”
Claire looked toward Evelyn.
Evelyn looked confused.
Claire said, “The authorization Marcus signed.”
Marcus knew immediately.
“I never signed anything.”
Claire's face changed.
The officer asked to see the document.
Claire said it was at the yellow house.
Marcus looked at Maya.
She was watching Claire with an expression no seven-year-old should have needed.
Then Maya whispered something else.
“The lady said Daddy signed it because he wanted me to go.”
Marcus felt his chest tighten.
May you like
Someone had forged his signature.
And Claire had shown it to his daughter.
