Chapter 4 - The Interrogation Room
The precinct interrogation room smelled of old coffee and industrial cleaner. A single metal table sat in the center under a harsh, humming fluorescent light.
I sat on one side with my pro-bono attorney, Mr. Harrison, who had rushed down to the station the moment he received my frantic voicemail. Across the table, Detective Hayes slid a thick manila folder and a seized smartphone across the metal surface.
"We brought Brenda Gallagher in for booking," Detective Hayes said, leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed. "At first, she invoked her right to counsel and clammed up. But once we told her that child endangerment charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence without parole, she decided to start cooperating."
He tapped the screen of the seized smartphone.
"She handed over her phone to make a deal with the prosecutor. And what we found on this device completely blows this entire custody case wide open."
Mr. Harrison pulled the phone closer, putting on his reading glasses. "What am I looking at, Detective?"
"Text messages," Hayes said grimly. "Hundreds of them. Encrypted messaging apps, regular SMS, and wire transfer receipts. They aren’t just between Brenda and her friends. They are between Brenda and David Parker."
My heart hammered against my ribs. "Show me."
Hayes turned the phone around. The screen illuminated a chat thread dated just three weeks ago.
Brenda Gallagher: Lily threw a tantrum today because she wanted to call her mother. Had to use the belt on her calf to teach her respect. It left a mark. You need to send the extra $2,000 this month for silence.
David Parker: Just make sure she learns her lesson. I don't ever want her thinking about her mother again. The transfer has been processed. Keep her away from Elena at all costs.
Brenda Gallagher: She’s crying less now. The bruises will heal before the next court-mandated medical checkup. If the doctor gets suspicious, I’ll handle it.
I stared at the glowing screen until the words blurred into a swimming sea of light.
He knew.
David didn't just win custody because he was a wealthy, well-spoken corporate manager. He had engineered the entire thing. He had paid Brenda Gallagher to torture my little girl just to punish me, to prove a point, to ensure that I would never get my daughter back.
"He paid them," I whispered, my voice hollow, devoid of all moisture. "He paid her to hurt my baby."
"Not just Brenda," Detective Hayes added quietly. "We’re currently pulling the bank records of the original CPS caseworker who flagged your home. We suspect David’s influence—and his money—extended much further than just the foster home."
Mr. Harrison placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Elena, breathe. This changes everything. This is direct, undeniable evidence of conspiracy, fraud, and aggravated child abuse. The custody order is null and void. We can move for an emergency warrant for David Parker’s arrest right now."
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Detective Hayes pushed off the wall and stood up.
"We’re already a step ahead of you, counselor," Hayes said, buttoning his jacket. "A squad car is dispatched to David’s corporate office as we speak. We’re bringing him in."
