Chapter 13 - The Echo in the Walls
Three days later, the morning sun broke over Willow Creek with a brilliant, golden warmth that dissolved the autumn frost off the grass.
The broken glass from the study's French doors had been cleared away, replaced by temporary plywood panels while the custom leaded glass was being manufactured. The house smelled no longer of plaster dust or lavender perfume, but of fresh pine cleaner, wood polish, and blueberry pancakes.
In the kitchen, Leo sat on a high wooden stool at the granite island, wearing a clean, bright green sweater. He was carefully spreading maple syrup over a stack of golden pancakes with a butter knife, his small face focused intently on the task.
The swelling on his left cheek had reduced significantly, leaving only a faint, yellowish-green bruise near his jawline that would fade entirely within a week.
Lily was sitting in her high chair beside him, happily smearing pancake crumbs across her plastic tray, letting out high-pitched squeals of joy every time a robin landed on the bird feeder outside the window.
Daniel stood at the stove, wearing a charcoal wool sweater, flipping another pancake in the cast-iron skillet.
The front doorbell chimed—a sharp, double ring that made Leo freeze for a fraction of a second, his butter knife hovering over his plate.
Daniel instantly dropped his spatula, walking over to the island, placing a reassuring hand on Leo’s shoulder.
"It's okay, buddy," Daniel said softly. "It's just Detective Vance with the final paperwork."
Daniel walked into the foyer, opening the heavy oak front door.
Standing on the porch was Detective Marcus Vance, wearing a grey suit under a trench coat, holding a thick tan folder under his arm.
"Morning, Daniel," Vance said, stepping inside as Daniel gestured for him to enter. "Thought I'd drop these copies off in person."
"How is the case progressing?" Daniel asked, leading the detective into his private study.
Vance sat down in the leather armchair opposite the desk, opening the folder.
"Evelyn’s legal team tried to file for bail yesterday morning," Vance said, a grim smile touching his lips. "The judge took one look at the federal indictment, the recorded confession on the hard drive, and the photographs of your boy's face, and denied bail entirely. She's being transferred to the Federal Correctional Institution in Bedford Hills this afternoon."
May you like
Daniel sat back in his chair, his hands clasped on the desk blotter. "And her father?"
"Pled guilty an hour ago," Vance replied. "Full cooperation in exchange for avoiding a maximum-security facility. The entire syndicate is unraveling. Your company’s assets have been fully unfrozen as of 08:00 AM today."
