Chapter 2 - The Security Footage
I stood completely frozen as the forensic technician's devastating words echoed in the quiet living room.
"That is absolutely impossible," I gasped, looking desperately at my husband for any sign of support.
"I have never touched that specific bottle in my entire life!"
Daniel stepped between me and the hostile officers, raising his hands to deescalate the tense situation.
"My wife would never hurt our daughter in a million years," Daniel said firmly, his voice filled with protective conviction.
"My father Richard was standing right there when the gift was opened, and he was the one who encouraged her to use it."
The lead officer pulled out a small black notepad and wrote something down with a heavy sigh.
"Then why are your wife's prints all over the weapon used to burn your child?" the officer challenged.
I closed my eyes and tried frantically to remember everything that happened over the hectic holiday week.
"I bought a bottle of heavy-duty cleaner last week for a badly clogged sink in the guest bathroom," I realized aloud.
"Richard must have taken it from under our kitchen cabinet, emptied it into the cream, and left the bottle out to frame me."
The officers exchanged a highly skeptical, patronizing look that made my stomach churn.
"We will need to review your home security cameras immediately to verify this convenient story," the officer demanded.
I rushed to the kitchen island and pulled up the exterior camera feed on my smart tablet.
I scrolled back to the exact timestamp when Richard had walked out the back door.
The high-definition video loaded, and my blood ran completely cold in my veins.
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Richard wasn't running away alone into the snowy suburban streets.
He was carrying a large black duffel bag, and walking briskly right beside him was my younger sister.
