Her eyes searched my face as though she wanted to believe me but had forgotten how.
Judge Thorne continued, “Can she leave the residence safely?”
“Not without alerting them. Julian has the car keys, her identification, and all her medication.”
“Then remain where you are. Help is coming.”
The call ended.
For several seconds, I stared at my phone.Downstairs, silverware clinked against plates. Chloe laughed at something Julian said. They sounded relaxed, almost cheerful, because they believed the old woman upstairs was still frightened into silence and the daughter they resented was too blinded by guilt to notice the truth.
I opened the recording application again and placed the phone on the bathroom counter.
“Mom, I need to ask you a few more questions.”
She pulled the towel tighter around her chest.
“Will they listen to this?”
“Yes.”
“Will Julian go to prison?”
“I don’t know yet.”
Her chin trembled. “He’s still my son.”
