Chapter 7: Vanessa's Last Move
Patricia filed our response the next morning.
She attached all eleven recordings as exhibits.
She attached the screenshot of Gary's text.
She attached Derek's documentation of the number registration.
She attached a formal complaint to the state bar association's paralegal oversight board regarding Gary Fenton's conduct.
Then she called Denton and Marsh directly.
I wasn't in the room for that call, but Patricia told me afterward that the conversation was brief.
The firm had not been aware that their paralegal had made direct contact with the opposing party.
They were, she said, suddenly very interested in reviewing Gary Fenton's recent case files.
Vanessa called me that evening.
I answered.
"You went to a lawyer," she said.
"Yes."
"I want to talk.
Without lawyers.
Just us."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"I made mistakes." Her voice was careful.
Measured.
The tone she used when she was recalculating.
"I know that.
But what I filed — it wasn't about hurting you.
It was about protecting Mason.
He needs stability.
If we split up, I needed to know he'd be taken care of."
"The filing was against me," I said.
"It accused me of neglecting Lily."
"That was Gary's language.
I didn't write it."
"You signed it."
Silence.
"Vanessa, I heard the recording.
I heard you tell him that Lily would forget.
That it didn't matter what she said once the paperwork was done.
That wasn't about protecting Mason."
"You don't know what it's been like—"
"You said that already.
Last night."
"I'm asking you not to do this.
Not to drag Mason through a court case.
He's been through enough."
And there it was.
The last move.
Not an apology.
Not a confession.
Mason, held up like a shield.
"Mason is the reason I have those recordings," I said.
"He protected Lily when you wouldn't.
Don't use him now."
Her voice shifted.
The careful tone dropped.
"If you push this," she said, "I will tell them about the night Lily fell on the stairs.
I will tell them you weren't watching her.
I will tell them whatever I need to tell them."
I had been expecting something.
Not that exactly, but something.
"Lily tripped on her shoelace," I said.
"In front of your mother.
Who was visiting at the time."
Another silence.
Longer this time.
"My attorney will be in touch," I said, and ended the call.
I sat in the car outside Ruth's house for a moment.
Through the front window I could see Lily and Mason at the kitchen table with Ruth, some kind of craft project spread between them.
Mason was showing Lily how to fold something.
She was watching his hands with complete concentration.
I called Patricia.
"She just made a threat," I said.
"A specific one.
I want it on record."
"Tell me exactly what she said," Patricia said.
I did.
May you like
"Good," she said.
"That's the last thing she should have done."
