Chapter 3 - The Bear
Claire stared at the legal document in absolute disbelief.
The paperwork claimed that Claire was actively experiencing a mental breakdown and posed an immediate threat to Ava.
Detective Owens reviewed the papers and frowned deeply at the official judge's seal at the bottom.
He quietly told Claire that his hands were completely tied by the family court order.
David walked forward and extended his hand toward his terrified daughter.
Ava buried her face in Claire’s coat and sobbed uncontrollably.
Claire screamed at David, demanding to know how he had convinced a judge to sign an emergency order on a Sunday morning.
David leaned in close to Claire and whispered that his money could buy any signature he ever needed.
Officer Miller gently pulled Claire away, warning her that resisting a court order would land her in a federal prison.
Claire was forced to watch as David dragged a crying Ava toward the luxury SUV.
The heavy doors slammed shut, completely silencing Ava’s desperate pleas for her mother.
David drove away, leaving Claire standing in the rain while the police arrested Margaret and Paige.
Claire fell to her knees on the wet driveway, feeling as though her entire world had just ended.
Detective Owens offered her a ride to the station, but Claire asked for a minute alone to gather Ava’s belongings from the wrecked Honda.
She opened the passenger door and saw Ava’s favorite stuffed bear lying on the floorboard.
Claire picked up the bear and noticed a tiny tear in the fabric near the zipper on its back.
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She reached inside the stuffing and her fingers brushed against a hard plastic rectangle.
Claire pulled out a black USB flash drive that Ava had secretly hidden inside the toy.
