Chapter 17 - THE CAMERA WE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUTOur home security system stored hallway clips.
Motion activated.
No audio in Ethan’s room.
Audio in upstairs hallway from doorbell-linked interior hub.
The clip began before I came home.
Ryan and Linda stood outside Ethan’s room.
Ryan:
“Just keep it calm.”
Linda:
“He shouldn’t be in here while I move.”
Ryan:
“It’s still his room.”
Linda:
“Not if I’m living here.”
Ryan:
“Temporary.”
Linda:
“You keep saying that to Claire too?”
Silence.
Then Linda:
“When she leaves, file.”
Ryan:
“If she leaves.”
Linda:
“She will.”
Ryan:
“Don’t touch Ethan.”
That mattered.
Linda ignored him.
Then:
“He needs discipline.”
Ryan:
“I’m serious.”
He walked downstairs.
Three minutes later, she slapped Ethan.
Ryan had not authorized that.
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But he created the confrontation.
Again, culpability in layers.
