Chapter 5: The Night He Took Bruce
The order granted Douglas temporary custody until a hearing the next morning.
One officer read it while Bruce clung to my waist.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“The judge was told the child was being concealed from his biological father.”
“He learned that man was his father an hour ago.”
Douglas crouched in front of Bruce.
“Pack your things.
You’re coming with me.”
“No.”
“Bruce,” I whispered, “the judge says this is only for tonight.”
His face crumpled.
“Did Mom know he was my dad?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t she tell me?
Didn’t she want me to have one?”
The question folded me in half.
I dropped to my knees and held his shoulders.
“She wanted you more than anything.”
“Then why did everybody lie?”
“I don’t know how to explain it yet.”
Douglas extended his hand.
“I do.
Your mother was angry with me, and your aunt believed everything she said.”
Helen stepped between them.
“Judy was afraid because you threatened to take him.”
“Move, Helen.”
The officer touched Helen’s elbow.
“Ma’am, please don’t interfere.”
Bruce removed the ring-bearer jacket and pushed it into my hands.
“Keep Mom’s picture safe.”
Douglas led him away.
At the door, Bruce turned.
“You’ll come tomorrow, right?”
“I’ll be there before you are.”
Douglas smiled over Bruce’s head.
“Assuming she isn’t charged with hiding trust assets.”
The door shut.
I pressed Bruce’s jacket to my face.
Helen reached for me, but I pulled away.
“You knew for eight years.”
“I did.”
“You watched me plan a wedding to him.”
“I didn’t know until the engagement announcement.
I tried to reach you.”
“You sat in that church while Bruce carried the proof.”
“Judy’s instructions were explicit.”
“My sister is gone, Helen!
Bruce is the one paying for her instructions.”
Helen removed her glasses.
“You’re right.”
I stared at her.
“That’s all you have?”
“No.
I also have a confession to make.”
She sat across from me and placed the flash drive between us.
“The first twenty thousand dollars was withdrawn by Judy.”
“Why?”
“Douglas threatened to establish paternity and drag her through court.
She paid him to disappear.”
“And the rest?”
“Someone copied that first authorization and forged five more.”
My phone chimed.
A voice message had arrived from Bruce’s watch, which was linked to my account.
Douglas’s voice came through first.
“Where is the second key?”
“I don’t know.”
“Your mother told you something.
Think.”
“She said the little key opened the truth.”
“That isn’t the little key.
Where is the other one?”
“I want my aunt.”
A drawer slammed.
“You’re not leaving until you tell me.”
I grabbed my coat.
Helen blocked the door.
“If you violate the order, he’ll use it against you.”
“I won’t leave Bruce alone with him.”
Another voice message appeared.
This time Bruce was whispering.
“He took my watch.
I hid it under the bed.
He says Mom left another key, but I think I know what she meant.”
A floorboard creaked.
Then Douglas said, very close to the watch, “Who are you talking to?”
