Chapter 6 - VALERIE COMES HOME
Valerie returned voluntarily.
That surprised everyone.
She walked into the Rivers house at 4:18 p.m. carrying shopping bags.
As if nothing had happened.
Detectives were monitoring the property.
Alejandro was inside.
He had agreed to speak with her while Marcus listened nearby.
Valerie entered the living room.
“You changed the alarm code.”
“Yes.”
She placed her purse down.
“Where is Sophie?”
“Safe.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“With your mother?”
“Safe.”
Valerie sighed.
“Alejandro, this has gotten ridiculous.”
“Sit down.”
She did.
He placed a photograph on the table.
Sophie’s antibiotic bottle.
Valerie barely looked.
“Okay.”
“Why was it full?”
“She refused to take it.”
“You told me she finished it.”
“I didn't want you worrying.”
Next photograph.
Hidden bottle.
“Why was this behind the vent?”
“I told you. It isn't mine.”
Next.
Screenshot from the tablet.
Her face changed.
Finally.
“You invaded my privacy.”
Alejandro almost laughed.
“My eight-year-old recorded you threatening her.”
“She edited it.”
“She’s eight.”
“You keep saying that like children can't manipulate adults.”
Then Alejandro placed Nathan Cole’s photograph down.
Valerie froze.
“Nathan who?”
He hadn't said the surname.
Alejandro leaned back.
“Thank you.”
Her eyes widened.
“You just identified him.”
Valerie stood.
“I’m done.”
“Sit.”
“You don't control me.”
“No.”
He looked toward the doorway.
“But the warrant does.”
Marcus entered.
Valerie stopped.
Two detectives followed.
“Valerie Rivers, we need you to come with us.”
“For what?”
Marcus remained calm.
“Start with child endangerment and evidence tampering.”
Her composure finally cracked.
“You have no idea what you're doing.”
Alejandro stood.
She looked at him.
Then smiled.
Cold.
Completely different from the woman he married.
“You think this ends with me?”
Alejandro said nothing.
Valerie leaned closer as officers approached.
“Nathan knows things about your sister you don't.”
Alejandro’s blood turned cold.
Marcus stepped between them.
Valerie continued:
“Ask him why Marissa changed her route home that night.”
Then she was taken away.
Alejandro remained standing in the living room.
Because Marissa always took the same highway.
Except the night she died.
And according to Valerie—
May you like
someone knew why.
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