Chapter 10 - THE VOICEMAIL
The strongest file on the flash drive was not a recording of Ava.
It was Daniel.
Six months earlier.
He had left a voicemail on his mother’s phone accidentally while his own phone remained connected after a call.
Cynthia—no, Daniel's mother named Elaine. Keep consistent.
Elaine later forwarded the voicemail to Daniel because it contained a conversation she thought he should hear.
Daniel saved it on the shared computer.
He forgot.
In the recording, Daniel spoke to his attorney before he knew I had found the custody records.
“I can’t let Elise get Kate as a witness.”
Attorney:
“Kate has to testify truthfully if subpoenaed.”
Daniel:
“I know.”
Then:
“If Kate starts saying I blocked contact, Ava will think I lied to her.”
Attorney:
“That may be an issue you need to address with Ava.”
Daniel:
“No. I need Kate out of it.”
Nothing illegal.
But then:
“Ava already thinks Kate is pushy. If this marriage ends, I can make it clear Kate’s been crossing boundaries.”
Attorney:
“Do not manufacture allegations.”
Daniel:
“I’m not manufacturing anything.”
Then:
“She grabs Ava when she walks away.”
The mall.
The argument.
Events.
Reframed.
Attorney:
“If Ava feels unsafe, that needs to come from Ava.”
Daniel:
“She’ll understand what happened once I explain it.”
That line.
May you like
She’ll understand what happened once I explain it.
Ava had been living inside his explanations for years.
