"Time for school," Vanessa announced, trying to sound normal. Her voice cracked slightly. Tobias looked up from his untouched cereal. "Mom, maybe we should stay home again. " "No, baby. We can't hide forever. " Vanessa grabbed her purse and car keys.
Education matters. Your father would want you in school. They walked to the car through a gauntlet of reporters. Camera flashes burst like lightning. Microphones thrust toward them.
Vanessa kept her children close, heads down, moving quickly. Mrs. High Totower, how do you respond to allegations that your husband is it true that he threatened? Has he shown violent tendencies at home? Vanessa slammed the car door, shutting out their voices.
Her hands trembled as she started the engine. In the rear view mirror, she saw Ila wiping tears. "It's okay, sweetie," she said softly. "They can't hurt us. " The drive started normally enough. Vanessa took their usual route, passing familiar landmarks, the corner store, the Baptist church, Mrs.
Wilson watering her roses. But three blocks in, she noticed a dark sedan behind them. No markings, tinted windows. When she turned left, it followed. Right turn, still there.
Her heart rate quickened. She made an unnecessary loop around the block. The sedan stayed with them, maintaining a steady distance, not even trying to be subtle. Mom. Tobias had noticed too.
That car, I see it, baby. Just stay calm. She dropped Ila off first at the elementary school, then Tobias at the high school. The sedan remained watching. Only after she confirmed both children were safely inside did she head home.
Her knuckles white on the steering wheel. The unmarked car finally peeled away near their neighborhood. Vanessa released a shaky breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The day dragged on endlessly. She called the school twice to check on the kids.
She paced. She cleaned obsessively. She ignored the constant doorbell and phone calls from reporters. As darkness fell, she prepared dinner, though none of them had much appetite lately. The brick came crashing through the front window at 9:47 p.m.
The sound of shattering glass filled the house. Ila screamed. Tobias jumped up from the couch. Vanessa rushed to the window, heart pounding. Glass crunched under her feet as she found the brick wrapped in paper secured with a rubber band.
Her hands shook as she unfolded the note. The message was typed anonymous. Drop the case or lose everything. Tobias read it over her shoulder. Mom, go upstairs with your sister, Vanessa ordered, already dialing attorney Reese's number.
Lock the bedroom door. Now, Ree answered on the first ring. Vanessa, what's wrong? She told him everything. The following car, the brick, the threat.
Her voice remained steady, but tears streamed down her face. I'm filing for an emergency restraining order first thing tomorrow, Ree said firmly. We'll also document this harassment. They're getting desperate. That's good for us, bad for them.
Are you safe right now? Yes, but I'm sending a private security team. They'll be there in 30 minutes. Don't call the police. While waiting for security, Vanessa watched coverage of Jerome's bail hearing.
The courthouse steps were packed with protesters holding signs. Justice for High Tower and Stop Police Violence. But inside the system ground on mechanically. Sergeant Danner took the stand, his uniform crisp, his expression earnest. He wo his lies skillfully, describing Jerome as the aggressor who ambushed them without provocation.
We responded to multiple noise complaints. Danner testified smoothly. Mr. High Totower became combative immediately. Given his military background and physical size, we feared for our safety.
The prosecutor nodded sympathetically. And you say he attacked first? Yes, sir. Without warning. Officer Hol and I were lucky to escape serious injury.
Jerome sat at the defense table watching Danner's performance. His face remained impassive, but his eyes never left the sergeant's smirking face. He recognized that look, the smug satisfaction of power unchecked. He'd seen it before in other places, on other faces. He would remember this one.
Without the body cam footage to contradict Danner's testimony, the outcome was predetermined. The judge denied bail, citing Jerome's military training and demonstrated violent tendencies. Hours later, Vanessa tucked the kids into bed. Private security patrolled outside, but the house felt empty, vulnerable. She gathered blankets and settled on the couch near the broken window.
A baseball bat within easy reach. Sirens wailed in the distance. A sound that once meant safety, now a reminder of threat. Cool night air drifted through the shattered glass. Vanessa pulled the blanket tighter, her voice barely a whisper in the darkness.
You picked the wrong family. She sat vigil through the night, watching shadows move across the walls, listening to every sound. The bat stayed close, unused, but ready, like Jerome had taught her. Stay alert, stay strong, never show fear. Morning would come eventually, and with it, another day of fighting back.
The fluorescent lights in Attorney Reese's office buzzed quietly as Vanessa sat across from his desk, fidgeting with her wedding ring. 3 days had passed since the brick came through her window. The private security team still patrolled her house, but sleep remained elusive. Ree burst through the door, his tie loose and his eyes bright with excitement. "Sorry I'm late," he said, dropping his briefcase on the desk.
"But you need to hear this. " "What is it? " Vanessa leaned forward, hope and fear mixing in her chest. I got a call an hour ago. Reys lowered his voice. From inside the department, a data technician named Eli Vargas says he has something we need to see. Vanessa's heart skipped.
The body cam footage better. Dash cam video from both patrol cars shows the whole incident from two angles. Reese loosened his tie further. He wants to meet tonight. Could be a trap, Vanessa said, her voice tight with worry.
I thought of that. But Vargas sounds terrified. Not like someone setting us up. Says he can't live with himself if he stays quiet. Reese checked his watch.
He'll only meet after dark. Empty parking lot behind the old Walmart. Vanessa rubbed her temples. David, I can't lose this case. The kids.
Jerome. Trust me, Ree said softly. This could change everything. Hours later, Vanessa's car crept through the abandoned parking lot. Ree sat beside her, scanning the shadows.