Chapter 4: The Video About Me
“Dad, that one is about you.””
Mason's words followed me through the hallway like a warning I couldn't escape.
Behind him, Officer Brooks stood beside the tablet, her expression serious. Her partner, Officer Davis, was keeping Vanessa away from the children while they determined what the recordings contained.
Vanessa had stopped shouting.
That frightened me more than her anger.
For weeks, perhaps months, she'd found a way to explain everything. Every bruise Lily couldn't explain. Every dinner she supposedly refused to eat. Every time Mason became unusually quiet when I asked how his day had gone.
Now she was watching the tablet as if it were a loaded weapon.
I tightened my arm around Mason's shoulders.
“What do you mean, buddy? What video is about me?””
Mason looked at his mother.
She shook her head once.
It was a small movement, almost invisible, but he immediately stepped backward.
“It's okay,” I told him.
“You're safe. Tell me what you know.””
“She made me record you.””
My mouth went dry.
“Record me doing what?””
“When you were asleep.””
Officer Brooks looked up from the tablet.
“Mr. Turner, may I ask what medication, if any, you take regularly?””
“None. Why?””
She exchanged a glance with Officer Davis.
Mason rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.
“Mom said we needed proof that you weren't a good dad.””
Vanessa snapped, “That is not what I said!””
Officer Davis raised a hand.
“Ma'am, stop speaking for the moment.””
She pressed her lips together, but her eyes never left Mason.
I knelt in front of him.
“Son, I need you to explain this slowly. What did your mother want you to record?””
Mason took a shaky breath.
“She said you forgot things sometimes. She said you got confused after work and didn't remember what happened at night.””
“I don't understand.””
“She made me put the tablet on your dresser. Sometimes she'd come into your room after you went to sleep. Then she'd tell me to start recording.””
A cold sensation crept up my spine.
“Did she ever tell you why?””
He nodded.
“She said if she had enough videos, she could make people believe you weren't safe for Lily.””
I stared at him.
The dining room, the locked pantry, the little stool in the closet—everything seemed to move farther away as another possibility formed in my mind.
Vanessa wasn't simply punishing my daughter.
She might have been building a case against me.
Officer Brooks turned the tablet toward her colleague.
“Let's preserve the original files and review the relevant footage.””
Vanessa suddenly stepped forward.
“You can't just take my private property!””
Officer Davis moved between her and the tablet.
“We're responding to a report involving two children. You'll have an opportunity to explain your side.””
“My husband hit me!””
Officer Brooks looked directly at her.
“We'll document that allegation as well.””
I felt the weight of my own impulsive decision settle over me. I'd struck Vanessa, and I knew that mattered. Whatever she'd done, I couldn't pretend my reaction had been acceptable.
But I also couldn't let the children disappear behind the argument between two adults.
Officer Brooks asked another officer who had arrived to remain with Lily and Mason while she reviewed the recordings.
The first few clips showed ordinary household moments. A camera angle from the hallway. Lily walking toward the kitchen. Mason sitting alone at the dining table.
Then Officer Brooks paused.
“What time was this recorded?”” she asked.
Mason pointed at the screen.
“After you went to bed, Dad.””
The footage showed the hallway outside my bedroom. Vanessa appeared in the frame carrying a small container and a glass of water.
She looked over her shoulder before entering.
Officer Brooks watched in silence.
When Vanessa emerged several minutes later, she was carrying the same container.
I stared at the screen.
“What was in that?””
Vanessa answered too quickly.
“Vitamins.””
“Whose vitamins?”” Officer Davis asked.
“Mine.””
“Why were you carrying them into my bedroom?”” I demanded.
She turned toward me.
“You were exhausted. I was helping you sleep.””
“I never asked you to give me anything.””
“You always complained that you couldn't rest!””
“That doesn't answer the question.””
Officer Brooks stopped the video.
“We need to establish what was in that container. Do you know where it is now, Mr. Turner?””
“No.””
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“Because there is nothing to find. I gave him ordinary supplements. You're turning a family disagreement into a criminal investigation.””
Officer Davis asked her to identify the product and its ingredients.
She named a brand, then hesitated when he asked whether the container was still in the house.
“I don't know.””
Mason began tugging at my sleeve.
“Dad?””
I looked down.
“Yeah, buddy?””
“She said those pills would make you forget.””
The room fell silent.
Vanessa's face drained of color.
Officer Brooks immediately turned back toward him.
“Mason, did you hear your mother say that herself?””
He nodded.
“She told me not to tell you. She said you might get angry and leave us.””
I swallowed hard.
“How long ago was that?””
“Before Lily started sleeping in the closet.””
Vanessa finally lost her composure.
“He misunderstood me! I said the pills would help you forget your stress. That's all!””
“Then why did you tell Mason to record me?”” I asked.
She looked at the floor.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Officer Davis received a message over his radio and stepped into the adjoining room to respond.
Officer Brooks continued reviewing the footage, documenting what she could see without drawing conclusions about anything that hadn't been verified.
I pulled Mason closer.
“You should never have been asked to keep a secret like that from me.””
He looked miserable.
“But she said you'd be mad.””
“I'm not mad at you.””
“What if you don't believe me?””
I cupped his face gently.
“I believe that you're scared. I believe you deserve to be heard. And I'm going to make sure the right people find out what happened.””
His chin trembled.
“Promise?””
“I promise I'll do everything I can to keep you both safe.””
Across the room, Vanessa watched us with an expression I'd never seen before.
Not anger.
Not embarrassment.
Fear.
Officer Brooks stopped another recording.
This one showed Vanessa standing beside my dresser, holding a small plastic bottle.
She looked directly into the camera.
Then she spoke.
“Once he signs the papers, neither of these children will be my problem anymore.””
My blood ran cold.
Officer Brooks replayed the sentence.
Vanessa lunged forward.
“Turn that off!””
Officer Davis blocked her path.
“Ma'am, step back.””
She stopped, breathing hard.
Officer Brooks looked toward me.
“Mr. Turner, do you have any idea what papers she's referring to?””
I shook my head.
“No.””
May you like
Mason's small hand slipped into mine.
“Dad,” he whispered, “she said tomorrow was the day you'd sign them.””
