“Ma’am,” Officer Pierce said calmly, “place the firearm down.”
I did. My hands only began to tremble after I let go.
Officer Wells gently led Lily out. Mark immediately started talking, fast and controlled.
“This is all a misunderstanding. She’s been acting out—lying, sneaking around. I found a second phone and she panicked. Evelyn broke in with a weapon.”
“Turn around, sir,” Officer Pierce said.
Mark hesitated—but obeyed. He was searched and seated.
I knelt in front of Lily. “Tell them what happened.”
She swallowed hard. “I bought the phone with cash. He checks my real one every night—reads everything. Says it’s for my safety.”
“Because she talks to older boys online!” Mark snapped.
“Do not interrupt,” the officer said firmly.
Lily flinched but continued. “He installed cameras. Not normal ones. Hidden ones. In the hallway… laundry room… even the bathroom vent. I found one last month.”
