Cole chose his words carefully.
“That depends on the investigation and what prosecutors determine from the evidence.”
“You watched the video.”
“I did.”
“So you saw what she did.”
“Yes.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“Then tell me what happens.”
Cole met his eyes.
“I’m not going to promise an outcome I don’t control. But I will tell you this is being taken seriously.”
Daniel hated the answer.
It was also the correct answer.
Cole asked whether there had been previous incidents.
Daniel told him everything Emily had said.
Locked doors.
Grabbing.
Threats.
The detective wrote without interrupting.
Then Rebecca spoke.
“There’s something else.”
Daniel looked at her.
“What?”
Rebecca seemed uncertain.
“I didn’t know if it mattered.”
“What?”
“Three months ago, Emily told me she didn’t like being home when you traveled.”
Daniel stared at her.
“You never told me.”
“She wouldn’t say why.”
“You never told me.”
Rebecca’s face hardened.
“I asked her if Claire was mean to her. She said no. I thought she was missing you.”
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
Silence filled the kitchen.
Cole finally said, “This is common.”
Daniel looked at him.
“What is?”
“Families looking backward and finding moments that seem obvious now. They weren’t obvious then.”
Daniel did not want reassurance.
He wanted the previous year back.
He wanted every night he had spent in hotel rooms while Emily lived with a woman she feared.
But time did not negotiate.
At two in the morning, officers went to the Whitmore residence.
Claire was still there.
She answered the door with an attorney already present.
That fact surprised no one.
Her attorney, Mitchell Rowe, was one of the best criminal defense lawyers in Atlanta.
Daniel learned later that Claire had called him before Daniel had even left the hospital.
She was not arrested that night.
Instead, police collected evidence and informed her that the case was under investigation.
Daniel’s family attorney filed for an emergency protective order before sunrise.
By nine the next morning, Claire was legally prohibited from contacting Emily.
At eleven, Daniel filed for divorce.
At noon, Claire’s attorney contacted his.
By evening, the first threat arrived.
If Daniel pursued allegations publicly, Claire intended to seek a portion of the company interest she claimed had increased in value during their marriage.
Daniel laughed when his attorney, Jonathan Reed, read the message.
Jonathan looked surprised.
“What’s funny?”
“She thinks I care about the money.”
“Daniel, she could potentially make this expensive.”
“I hope she does.”
“That isn’t how I recommend approaching divorce litigation.”
Daniel leaned back.
“I mean I hope she tries to make this about money. Because then maybe she’ll finally understand there isn’t a number I value more than Emily.”
Jonathan closed the file.
“We need strategy, not emotion.”
“Fine.”
“You have a prenuptial agreement.”
“Yes.”
“It is strong.”
“Good.”
“But she may challenge it.”
“Let her.”
“There are also reputational concerns. Whitmore Development is preparing that municipal project. The board may become nervous if this becomes public.”
Daniel stared at him.
“Then the board can be nervous.”
Jonathan sighed.
“I knew you’d say that.”
Daniel’s tone softened.
“I’m not hiding what happened to protect a company.”
“I’m not asking you to hide it.”
“Good.”
“I’m telling you Claire may try to use publicity against you.”
Daniel nodded.
“Then we deal with facts.”
That became his rule.
Facts.
Not revenge.