The first police officer to enter the dressing room was a woman in her forties with dark hair pulled into a tight bun. Her badge identified her as Detective Sarah Collins.

She took in the scene quickly: Vanessa in her wedding dress, James near the doorway, two security guards, and Lily clinging to me with one cheek swollen.

“I’m Detective Collins,” she said.

“Who called us?””

“I did. My name is Michael Carter. This is my daughter, Lily. Vanessa, the woman I was supposed to marry, struck her.””

Vanessa immediately began crying.

“That’s not what happened! She was having a tantrum, and I was trying to control the situation.””

Detective Collins looked at Lily.

“Would you like to tell me what happened, sweetheart?””

Lily shook her head and pressed herself against me.

“That’s okay,” the detective said gently.

“You don’t have to talk right now.””

She turned to another officer.

“Photograph the injury. Get medical assistance for the child, and make sure everyone stays separated until we’ve spoken to them.””

Vanessa’s tears stopped.

“You’re treating me like a criminal!””

Detective Collins looked at her steadily.

“At the moment, I’m investigating an allegation of child assault. Please let me do my job.””

James cleared his throat.

“Detective, I’m Michael’s brother. This is a family misunderstanding. I’m sure we can resolve it without turning it into something bigger.””

Collins turned toward him.

“Did you witness the incident?””

“No.””

“Then please let the people who did witness it speak.””

James’s face tightened.

I had watched him charm bank managers, negotiate business deals, and talk his way out of arguments for most of my life. He usually had an answer before anyone finished asking a question.

Now he seemed to be calculating every word.

The detective approached me.

“Mr. Carter, I understand there’s another allegation involving your brother and a possible financial matter. Can you explain?””

I handed her my phone and showed her the message from Vanessa’s second device.

She read it twice.

“Is this your brother’s number?””

“Yes.””

“Has anyone else had access to this phone?””

“Not that I know of.””

She photographed the screen with her department-issued device.

“Please don’t delete anything or attempt to access the account further. We’ll need to document how this was obtained and determine what additional evidence exists.””

James stepped forward.

“That message is being misrepresented.””

Detective Collins raised one hand.

“Sir, I’ll speak with you separately.””

Then she asked me a question I wasn’t prepared for.

“Mr. Carter, do you believe your daughter may have information about your wife’s death?””

I looked down at Lily.

Three years earlier, she had been two years old. She could barely form complete sentences. For a long time, she had called every dark-haired woman Mommy, and I had gently corrected her until the confusion faded.

What could she possibly remember?

“I don’t know,” I said.

Detective Collins nodded.

“Children sometimes remember fragments of frightening events, but we shouldn’t pressure her or suggest answers. If she says something spontaneously, we’ll arrange for a trained child interviewer.””

I was grateful for that.

I didn’t want Lily carrying the burden of solving her mother’s death.

I wanted her to be five.

To worry about cartoons and ice cream. To lose baby teeth and leave glitter all over my office carpet.

Not to remember things adults had done in the dark.

A paramedic examined her cheek while another officer escorted Vanessa into the adjoining sitting room.

James tried to follow.

Detective Collins stopped him.

“Mr. Carter, I’d like you to remain here for now.””

“I’m not under arrest.””

“No one said you were. Please cooperate.””

He looked at me.

“You’ll regret letting strangers interfere in this family.””

I met his gaze.

“You stopped being family when you decided my daughter was a financial opportunity.””

His face twisted.

“You have no idea how much I’ve done for you.””

“Then tell the detective.””

He turned away.

A few minutes later, Detective Collins returned and asked if I could speak with her privately while Lily remained with the paramedic and a female officer.

I hesitated.

Lily caught my hand.

“Don’t leave me, Daddy.””

“I won’t go far, sweetheart. I promise.””

The detective waited until we were just outside the room.

“Your brother mentioned that Lily might have witnessed something connected to your wife’s accident.””

I closed my eyes briefly.

“He said that to provoke me.””

“Possibly. But I need to ask whether your daughter was in the car when your wife died.””

“No. Emily had dropped her at my mother’s house earlier that evening.””

“Was Lily at home when your wife left?””

I thought back to that night.