Chapter 3 — Truth Has Witnesses
Chapter 3 — Truth Has Witnesses
The news spread faster than the reception ever had.
Guests quietly collected their coats.
Several walked over to me.
One by one.
"I'm sorry."
"I should've spoken up."
"I believed him."
Each apology sounded sincere.
None of them erased the image of my daughter bleeding on the ballroom floor.
Sophie had fallen asleep in the hospital.
Her head was wrapped in a white bandage.
The doctor assured me she would recover completely.
Physically.
Emotionally...
That would take longer.
Officer Ruiz returned just after midnight.
"We've reviewed every camera."
"There wasn't just the phone."
He placed several printed photographs on the bedside table.
Each one showed Preston moving decorations before the ceremony.
Loosening bolts.
Removing safety pins.
Shifting the heavy oak menu board until it leaned at an unstable angle.
"He planned everything," Ruiz said quietly.
"He expected you to argue."
"He expected the board to fall."
My stomach turned.
He hadn't only framed my daughter.
He had created the perfect excuse to hurt her.
The room suddenly felt colder.
Ruiz continued.
"Several guests have agreed to testify."
"The hotel staff too."
"This case won't depend on one camera."
"It depends on dozens of witnesses."
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For the first time that day...
I believed justice might actually exist.
