Chapter 4 - Behind the Polished Doors
Detective Ramirez sat down with me in the small hospital cafeteria while a nurse watched over Hailey. She had a warm but fiercely professional energy that instantly made me feel safer.
"I’ve read the initial police report, and I’ve seen the screenshots of the texts your ex-husband sent you," Ramirez said, taking a sip of lukewarm coffee. "We’ve already flagged his messages as witness intimidation. But I need to be honest with you, Paige. Miriam Vance is a very influential woman in Scottsdale. She sits on the board of three major charities, she’s close friends with the mayor, and her late husband was a prominent judge. She has a highly polished reputation."
"She’s a monster," I said, my voice cracking. "She used to pinch Hailey’s arms when she thought I wasn't looking, but there were never any marks. I thought I was just being paranoid. Now... now I know she was capable of this."
"We need more than Hailey's word to make this stick in a way that her lawyers can't tear apart," Ramirez explained. "We need a pattern of behavior. Has anyone else ever complained about Miriam? Are there other grandchildren?"
I shook my head. "Derek is an only child. But... there was a housekeeper. A woman named Sofia. She worked for Miriam for over ten years, but she suddenly quit about six months ago. Derek told me she was fired for stealing, but Sofia loved Hailey. She used to bake her cookies. When Sofia left, she didn't even say goodbye, which was completely unlike her."
Detective Ramirez’s eyes lit up. "Do you have a last name? An address? Any way to contact her?"
"I have her phone number saved," I said, quickly scrolling through my contacts. "I kept it because I always meant to reach out and ask her what really happened, but Derek forbade me from speaking to her."
"Give it to me," Ramirez said, pulling out a notepad. "I'll have my team track her down. In the meantime, I’m going to file an emergency protective order. Derek’s visitation rights are suspended effective immediately. He cannot come within 500 feet of you or Hailey."
As Ramirez left, a small weight lifted from my shoulders. But I knew this was only the first battle. Derek and Miriam were not the type of people to go down quietly.
The next morning, when I discharged Hailey from the hospital and brought her home, the first thing I saw parked outside my apartment building was a sleek black luxury sedan.
May you like
A man in an expensive tailored suit stepped out of the vehicle. He was not Derek, but his card told me everything I need to know: Richard Sterling, Senior Partner at Sterling & Associates Criminal Defense.
"Ms. Vance," the attorney said, his tone smooth and patronizing. "I think it’s time we discuss a settlement before this gets out of hand."
