Chapter 14 - Tyler tells the truth
Tyler avoided me for almost a month.
Then arrived at my temporary apartment carrying two coffees.
He handed me one.
“I was recording because I thought Dad was right.”
“I know.”
“I thought you were full of it.”
“Also know.”
He winced.
Then:
“I called him.”
“Yes.”
“I started it.”
“No.”
His head snapped up.
“I told him about the phone.”
“Yes.”
“He came because of me.”
“He came because he decided to.”
Tyler stared at the floor.
“I said you were doing your general act.”
“That wasn’t kind.”
“No.”
“But you did not make him point a weapon.”
He cried then.
Unexpectedly.
Tyler was not a child.
Twenty-eight-year-old adults can still carry child-shaped guilt.
Then he said something important.
“Dad texted me before he came in.”
“What?”
“He asked if Mom was scared.”
“What did you say?”
“I said no. She was making coffee.”
My pulse changed.
“Do investigators have that?”
“Yes.”
May you like
Another crack in Michael’s protective-story narrative.
He knew Emma was not frightened before he entered.
