Chapter 4 - THE DEPUTYDeputy Sarah Monroe met us at the hospital.
She spoke with Peyton separately using basic child-sensitive procedure, then arranged for a formal forensic interview later because the case involved another minor and potential adult witness interference.
She asked me about Walter.
I told the truth.
“He raised his hand and moved toward Peyton. I blocked his arm. Then when he tried to move past me again, I kicked him.”
“Did he strike you?”
“No.”
“Strike Peyton?”
“Not then.”
“Did you believe he was about to?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He was angry and moving toward her with his hand raised.”
“Could you have stepped away with Peyton?”
“I don’t know.”
Important answer.
Not:
Absolutely impossible.
Not:
I had no choice.
Fear does not grant perfect tactical memory.
Walter had already filed a complaint.
Of course.
Deputy Monroe said:
“He reports hip pain and says you attacked him after he attempted to discipline Peyton verbally.”
“I expected that.”
“You may have legal exposure separate from the child incident.”
“I understand.”
Nelson stared at me.
I said:
“Both things can be true.”
My father-in-law could have endangered my daughter.
May you like
I could have responded with excessive force.
Justice did not require one fact to erase the other.
Related Stories
