Chapter 9 - Helen Had Been Watched Too
Helen was not simply recruited three days earlier.
Victor had studied her.
Her grocery store.
Her church.
Her doctor appointments.
Visits to Michael’s home.
He knew when she babysat.
He knew she still carried guilt over David’s adoption.
He knew exactly which fear to exploit.
Michael felt anger toward Victor.
But also toward his mother.
Being manipulated did not erase her agency.
When Michael finally met Helen at the police station, he told her both
truths.
“What he did to you was calculated.”
Helen nodded.
“And what you did to Lily was still yours.”
She cried.
“I know.”
“You screamed that she made you throw the plate.”
Helen covered her face.
“I heard myself say it.”
“She didn’t make you do anything.”
“No.”
Michael waited.
Helen looked at him.
“I threw it because I was angry and terrified and I lost control.”
“Good.”
She flinched.
“I don’t mean good that you did it. I mean good that you’re saying the
truth.”
Helen nodded.
“I’m going to get help.”
Michael had already decided something.
“You won’t be alone with the kids.”
Helen closed her eyes.
“For how long?”
“I don’t know.”
She wanted a date.
He would not give one.
Safety was not a punishment schedule.
It depended on behavior, professional guidance, and the children’s
comfort.
Helen agreed to therapy.
She also agreed to supervised contact only if Noah wanted it.
Noah initially said no.
Michael respected that.
Weeks passed.
Victor remained missing.
Then Pike’s final autopsy report arrived.
His death was caused by a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
He had not been murdered.
Victor had entered the hotel room after Pike collapsed and stolen his
laptop rather than calling for help.
That explained the staged-looking photographs.
Victor had used a real death to frame David.
The potential charges changed, but the moral horror did not.
He had seen a dying or dead man and thought first about evidence.
Then police found Victor.
Not in another state.
Not abroad.
He had been renting an apartment six blocks from Carter Sentinel.
Inside, officers found surveillance equipment and copies of Michael’s
schedule.
Victor was arrested without incident.
Michael expected relief.
Instead, he felt exhausted.
Because Victor’s arrest did not automatically fix what happened inside
May you like
his family.
That work had barely started.
