. And I set the lunch table exactly as Daniel had requested. At 11:57, my father sat down in Daniel’s favorite chair, his hands resting peacefully on his cane. Nina waited in the studio with the security officer. I stayed across the street in Dad’s car, watching the living room camera through my phone. At noon, Daniel’s Mercedes entered the driveway. Evelyn came out wearing pearls and carrying a bottle of champagne. “They think they’re celebrating,” Dad said through my earpiece. Daniel opened the door. Her laughter entered the house before they did. “Where is our cheerful hostess?” Evelyn called. Then they saw my father. Daniel stopped so suddenly that Evelyn almost bumped into him. Dad stood up slowly. – Hello, Daniel. The champagne bottle slipped from Evelyn’s hand and shattered on the floor. Daniel’s face turned pale. —Judge Vale. “Retired,” Dad answered. “But he’s still familiar with men who hurt women and forge documents.” Daniel looked towards the staircase. “Where is Mara?” “Somewhere you can’t reach her.” Evelyn quickly regained her voice. “This is a misunderstanding within the private family.” Dad looked towards the undamaged makeup bag visible through the bedroom door. “No,” he said. “This is evidence.”
