Ruiz moved fast.
Under a paint tarp sat Emily’s phone, cracked but still working, plugged into a charger. On it were videos Mark had taken while forcing her to read legal documents.
“Say you’re leaving voluntarily,” his recorded voice commanded.
Emily, bruised and drugged, whispered, “I’m leaving voluntarily.”
“Good girl,” Vanessa said in the video. “Now sign the transfer.”
Mark went silent.
Vanessa stopped crying.
I stood slowly.
“You chose the wrong woman’s child.”
Mark spat, “You think you can scare me?”
