Chapter 3: The Aunt With the Key
I did not sleep.
I sat on the edge of Rachel's couch with my phone in both hands and watched the video four more times.
Each time, I stopped at the same moment — Luca's eyes moving toward Fiona, registering what was happening, then moving away.
Not confused.
Not startled.
Away.
Rachel came out of the kitchen at six in the morning with two mugs and set one in front of me without asking.
"Tell me what you're thinking," she said.
"I'm thinking Wendy didn't do this alone." I turned the phone so Rachel could see the final frames.
"That's Luca's aunt, Donna.
She works in family court."
Rachel watched the clip.
Her expression didn't change, but she put her mug down slowly.
"What kind of work?"
"Case intake.
Document processing." I looked at the doorway to the room where Fiona was still sleeping.
"She decides which filings get prioritized."
"Jessi." Rachel's voice was careful.
"Do you think they're planning to go for custody?"
I hadn't said it out loud yet.
Hearing it from someone else made the room feel smaller.
"Wendy has been building a case for months," I said.
"She's told everyone I'm unstable.
That I work too much.
That Fiona is always sick because I don't take proper care of her." I set my own mug down.
"Last night gave her exactly what she needed.
I sl\*pped Luca in front of witnesses.
I shoved an elderly woman.
On camera."
"You defended your daughter."
"That's not how Donna will file it."
Rachel was quiet for a moment.
Then she said, "You need a lawyer.
Today."
"I know."
"Not tomorrow.
Today.
Before Luca makes his first call."
My phone lit up on the cushion between us.
Not Luca this time.
A number I didn't recognize, with a downtown area code.
I answered.
"Mrs.
Calloway?" The voice was professional, unhurried.
"My name is Patricia Hale.
I'm a family law attorney.
Kelly Marsh gave me your number this morning.
I understand you may need some guidance."
I stood up.
"How much did Kelly tell you?"
"Enough," she said.
"I've already pulled the public record on Donna Calloway's case assignments.
There are some things you should know before your husband makes any formal moves." A pause.
"Can you come in at nine?"
I looked at the clock on Rachel's microwave.
It was 6:14.
"I'll be there," I said.
I went to the doorway and checked on Fiona.
She was on her back with one arm stretched above her head, her paper crown from the banquet still on the nightstand where I'd set it.
The red mark on her cheek had faded to a pale shadow.
I took a photo of it anyway.
Then I went to get dressed, because Patricia Hale had said there were things I should know — and the way she said it told me they were things Wendy had not expected anyone to find.
When I came back into the living room, Rachel was already looking up the address.
"I'll watch Fiona," she said.
"Go."
I picked up my bag.
My hand was steady.
I noticed that.
My phone buzzed one more time before I reached the door.
This time it was Luca.
*We need to talk before you do something you can't undo.
Mom is speaking to her lawyer this morning.
Please come home.*
I read it twice.
Then I put the phone in my bag and walked out.
He had written *her lawyer.* Not *a lawyer.* Not *our lawyer.*
May you like
Wendy already had someone on the phone before sunrise.
She had been ready for this night long before I was.
