Chapter 8 - The Man at the Door
Marcus insisted he had gone to Sarah's house to check on the children.
He claimed Victor had asked him to deliver an envelope and he hadn't known the adults would be gone.
The time stamp told a different story.
He entered through the side door, remained inside for six minutes, and left carrying a black canvas bag.
There was no sign he fed the children or called anyone.
“Why didn't you help them?” I demanded when Ortiz allowed us to speak in her presence.
Marcus looked at the table.
“I thought Sarah would come back that night.”
“You saw two children alone.”
He nodded.
“Then you walked away.”
He had no defense.
His confession would eventually matter to prosecutors.
For me, it simply ended a friendship.
Ortiz asked about the canvas bag.
Marcus claimed it contained nothing but a backup drive from the security system.
He said Claire had ordered him to bring it to an office on West Twenty-Third Street.
The detectives arranged for the drive to be surrendered through counsel.
Inside the data they recovered was footage of Ethan standing at the kitchen window.
He was so small against the glass.
He kept opening his mouth as though calling for someone outside.
I could not watch it twice.
The backup also recorded a van circling the block late Sunday.
Claire stepped out and walked to the house.
She looked through the front windows, then returned to the van without opening the door.
The footage showed neglect made deliberate.
Someone had checked on the children and chosen not to intervene.
Emma's fever had already begun by then, according to Ethan's account.
At the hospital, I asked Dr. Chen to tell me exactly what recovery might look like.
She explained that Emma was responding to treatment but needed monitoring and rest.
I would not let the corporate war swallow the ordinary responsibility of being her father.
I learned her medication schedule.
I learned which soup she preferred.
I sat on the floor with Ethan and built a lopsided plastic castle.
Then Rachel called.
“Victor's attorneys have offered a settlement.”
“What does he want?”
“All of your shares and a confidentiality agreement.”
“And in return?”
“He promises Sarah will be released from whatever hold he has over her.”
I looked at my children.
“Tell him no.”
Rachel took a breath.
“Daniel, there is a second condition.”
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Victor wanted Ethan's hotel reservation destroyed.
