Tyler stood several feet back.
Vanessa hovered near his SUV.
Then Evelyn removed Rachel’s phone, took the key fob, and spoke clearly enough for the camera microphone to capture every word.
“Leave the baby inside.
It makes her breakdown look believable.”
Tyler’s face had turned the color of paper.
Vanessa covered her mouth with both hands.
The detective, Mara Chen, pressed play.
Evelyn closed Rachel’s door and activated the car’s double-lock setting with the spare fob.
Rachel pulled weakly at the interior handle.
It did not open.
Tyler stepped forward.
“Mom, that’s enough.”
“Then take your wife home,” Evelyn replied.
“She won’t sign.”
“She will after she understands what happens to unstable mothers.”
Vanessa said something the microphone did not catch.
Evelyn turned sharply toward her.
“You wanted him,” she said.
“Now stop pretending you have a conscience.”
The three of them got into Tyler’s SUV.
