Chapter 2 - THE MAN STANDING BEHIND HIMThe hospital corridor smelled of antiseptic and fear.
Sophie was inside the examination room.
I stood outside with blood on my hands.
Her blood.
I kept looking down at it.
Then looking back at the closed door.
Detective Morales approached me.
“Ms. Hart?”
I turned.
“We recovered the backup footage.”
My throat tightened.
“Can I see it?”
He hesitated.
“It may be difficult.”
“I need to see it.”
He opened his laptop.
The video began.
The ballroom appeared on the screen.
Sophie was standing near the gift table.
She was holding a small silver phone.
Preston walked toward her.
Then he stopped.
He looked around.
No one seemed to be watching.
He reached into his jacket.
Pulled out another phone.
And placed it inside the pocket of Sophie’s dress.
I stopped breathing.
The video continued.
Sophie turned.
She had no idea what had happened.
Preston walked away.
Then, minutes later, he began shouting that his phone was missing.
My hands curled into fists.
“He planted it.”
Detective Morales nodded.
“But there’s more.”
The footage continued.
My father appeared.
He stood near the entrance.
He had watched the entire thing.
He had seen Preston plant the phone.
And he had done nothing.
Then Preston walked toward him.
The two men spoke.
My father pointed toward Sophie.
Preston nodded.
I closed the laptop.
“Why?”
Detective Morales looked at me.
“That’s what we’re trying to find out.”
Behind us, the hospital room door opened.
A doctor stepped out.
“She’s awake.”
I rushed inside.
Sophie looked small beneath the white blanket.
Her eyes filled with tears when she saw me.
“Mommy?”
I held her hand.
“I’m here.”
She looked toward the door.
“Did I do something bad?”
My heart broke.
“No, sweetheart.”
“But Uncle Preston said I stole his phone.”
I kissed her forehead.
“He lied.”
Sophie stared at me.
Then she whispered:
“Mommy…”
“What?”
“Uncle Preston put something in my pocket.”
I froze.
“What did he put there?”
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Sophie closed her eyes.
“I don’t know.”
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