Father Rebuilt His Six-Year-Old Son’s Cast at Home—Then a Rusted Key and Hidden Note Fell Out Inside the Clinic
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Chapter 5 / 27
Chapter 5 - THE KEYThe rusty key fit an old padlock.
But police did not know that yet.
First they had to identify the “blue box.”
Tommy was interviewed by a child forensic specialist before anyone asked him directly about it.
Not:
Does the key open Dad’s blue box?
Instead:
“Tell me about the key.”
Tommy rubbed his fingers together.
“It’s for Dad’s box.”
“What box?”
“The blue one.”
“Where?”
“Garage.”
“What is inside?”
“Mom’s phone.”
“How do you know?”
“I saw Dad put it.”
“Did Mom put it there?”
“No.”
“Did Dad?”
“Yes.”
“Did anyone tell you to hide the key?”
Tommy shook his head.
“No.”
“Why did you?”
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“Because Dad looks in my backpack.”
That sentence ended any remaining normal feeling around the case.
Related Stories
Chapter 6 - HOW THE KEY GOT INTO THE CASTTommy explained the cast in fragments.
Chapter 7 - LAURATommy’s mother was named Laura Hale.
Chapter 8 - THE PHONE IN THE BLUE BOXPolice obtained a warrant for Richard’s garage.
Chapter 9 - THE ORIGINAL FRACTURETommy had broken his tibia four weeks before our clinic visit.
Chapter 10 - WHAT LAURA SAID HAPPENEDLaura’s version of the original fracture was different.
Chapter 11 - LAURA’S MISTAKELaura made mistakes too.
