Chapter 1 - The Woman With the County Badge
"We need to talk about what you did to this baby in your home."
The investigator spoke quietly, which somehow made the accusation worse.
I looked from her county badge to the physician standing beside her.
"I brought her here," I said.
"I know," the woman answered.
"Then you know I found her that way."
"Your sister has given us a different account."
My mouth went dry.
The investigator introduced herself as Mara Ellis, an investigator assigned to the county's child-protection unit.
She invited me into a small consultation room, and I followed because Paige was still behind the trauma doors and I was desperate to know whether she was safe.
Mara placed a yellow legal pad on the table.
"Before we discuss your sister's statement, tell me your morning from the beginning."
I told her about Kate's tired smile, her explanation about teething, the green sleeper, the refused bottle, and the scream when I shifted Paige against my shoulder.
I described the makeup without trying to soften how ridiculous it sounded.
I showed her the text message I had sent Kate and the two unanswered calls.
Mara asked exactly how I held Paige and how I drove her to the hospital.
Every answer made me feel as though I were defending a crime I had never imagined.
Then she opened her notebook to another page.
"Your sister says Paige was completely comfortable when she handed her over."
"She wasn't crying at the door," I said.
"She also says you sounded angry when you called earlier this week because Paige had been difficult to settle."
"I said I was tired after helping her."
"She says you told her you couldn't take much more."
I stared at Mara.
Kate had taken a harmless complaint about sleepless nights and turned it into a threat.
"What else did she say?"
Mara took her time.
"She says she warned you not to bounce Paige when she cried."
"She never said that."
"And she says she suspects you hurt Paige while attempting to quiet her."
The room seemed to tip sideways.
My own sister had accused me of injuring her daughter.
The doctor returned before I could find words.
"Paige has a fracture of her left femur," she said.
I pressed my palm to the table to steady myself.
The doctor explained that specialists would evaluate the injury and manage Paige's pain, and that its cause could not be established from one conversation.
Mara watched me closely.
"Do you have any photographs from this morning?"
"No," I whispered.
I had been too frightened to take any.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Kate appeared on the screen.
I read it once, then again.
Don't tell them about Thursday.
I raised my eyes to Mara.
May you like
"I think you need to see this."
