Chapter 6: The Things Karen Said in the Interview Room
Three days after the arrest, Daniel received a call from Detective Lena Vasquez.
"Mr.
Marsh, I want to update you on where things stand.
Are you somewhere you can talk?"
He stepped out of his office into the corridor.
"Go ahead."
"Karen gave a formal interview yesterday.
She had a lawyer present.
I'm going to tell you what I can within the limits of the active case." A pause.
"She denied that the doghouse was used as punishment.
She described it as a — and I'm quoting — 'imaginative play space that Lily enjoyed.'"
Daniel said nothing.
"She acknowledged the lock but stated it was to keep the doghouse door from blowing open in the wind."
"There was no wind yesterday," Daniel said.
"It was seventy-two degrees and clear."
"I know.
Her lawyer redirected at that point." Vasquez's voice stayed professional and level.
"She also stated that the photographs taken by Mrs.
Greer were taken out of context and that Lily was never left outside against her will."
"Lily told the pediatrician—"
"I know what Lily told the pediatrician.
That statement has been recorded and documented.
It will be part of the case." A brief pause.
"Mr.
Marsh, I want to prepare you for something.
Karen's lawyer has already made contact with family court.
They're going to argue that Lily should be placed with Karen's mother while the case proceeds."
Daniel's back straightened.
"Absolutely not."
"You have the right to oppose that.
I strongly recommend you have a family law attorney file a response as quickly as possible.
Today if you can."
"I'll call one this afternoon."
"Good." Vasquez hesitated for just a moment.
"There's one more thing.
In the interview, Karen made a statement about you."
"What kind of statement?"
"She suggested that you were aware of the discipline methods used in the home and that you approved of them."
The corridor was empty.
A door somewhere down the hall clicked shut.
"She said I knew," Daniel said.
"Yes."
"I did not know."
"I believe you, Mr.
Marsh.
The evidence supports your account.
But I want you to be prepared, because her defense will likely build on that claim.
They will try to make this about both parents."
Daniel leaned against the wall.
"She's going to try to take Lily," he said.
Not a question.
"Her lawyer is going to try to create enough ambiguity that the court considers shared placement.
Yes."
Daniel closed his eyes for three seconds.
Then he opened them.
"What do I need to do?"
"Document everything from this point forward.
Every conversation with Lily.
Every medical appointment.
Every contact Karen attempts to make.
Keep records." Vasquez paused.
"And Mr.
Marsh — Lily's testimony, through the specialist interview, is going to be the most important piece of this.
Children this age, when they speak clearly and consistently, carry significant weight."
"She's been consistent," Daniel said.
"She's been consistent since the moment I opened that door."
"I know," Vasquez said.
"That's what worries Karen's lawyer."
After he hung up, Daniel stood in the corridor for a long moment.
Then he went back into his office, closed the door, and called a family law attorney.
May you like
Her name was Grace Okafor.
She answered on the second ring.
