Chapter 3 - The Blue Lights
""Officer, he attacked me! He’s having an episode, he’s violent!"" Ashley wailed into the phone speaker, throwing herself against the kitchen counter with theatrical despair. Mark didn't flinch. He walked over to Lily, kneeling down so his broad back shielded her entirely from Ashley’s frantic performance. He slipped his phone into his breast pocket, the lens poking out of the pocket flap, still capturing the scene. He pulled Lily against his chest, feeling her tiny frame vibrating with terror. ""I've got you,"" he murmured into her hair. ""You're safe now. I saw everything.""
Ten minutes later, flashing red and blue lights painted the white shiplap walls of the living room. Two patrol officers walked through the unlocked front door, handguns unholstered but held at low-ready. Ashley met them at the foyer, tears streaming down her contoured cheeks, her green sweater rumpled at the collar to imply a struggle. ""Thank God you're here,"" she sobbed, clutching the taller officer’s forearm. ""He cornered me in the kitchen. He's been stalking me around the house, hiding in closets... he threatened to kill me if I didn't sign over custody!""
May you like
The older officer, Deputy Miller, held up a gloved hand to pause her before looking past her shoulder at Mark, who remained seated on the floor beside Lily. ""Sir, keep your hands where I can see them,"" Miller ordered, his tone neutral and guarded. ""Step away from the child."" Mark didn't argue. He raised his palms slowly, standing up with deliberate slowness to avoid any sudden movements. ""Officer, my name is Mark Mercer. I am the sole biological parent in this residence. My wife is lying.""
Ashley wiped her nose with a trembling sleeve, turning to the younger deputy. ""Check the table! He drew up papers to abandon his own daughter, and when I refused to help him cover it up, he snapped!"" Deputy Miller walked past Mark into the kitchen, his flashlight beam sweeping over the manila folder. He picked up the behavioral transfer form, inspecting the forged signature. ""This is your signature, Mr. Mercer?"" Miller asked. Mark reached into his pocket slowly, holding out his unlocked phone. ""No, sir. And before you make any decisions, you need to watch what was recorded twenty minutes ago.""
