Chapter 4 - Daniel’s video
Daniel Mercer was thirty-eight and had been married to Bethany for nine years.
He arrived at the hospital around six.
Alone.
He did not ask to see Rosie.
That earned him my attention.
Instead he handed Detective Mariah Kent his phone.
“I was recording Mason opening presents.”
The recording began twelve minutes before I brought Rosie into the dining room.
Daniel had placed the phone against a centerpiece so he could be in the frame.
After presents, nobody stopped it.
So it continued.
The video captured:
Guests eating.
Bethany returning from the hallway.
My mother asking where Rosie was.
Bethany replying:
“She’s sulking.”
Then me entering with Rosie.
Bethany saying:
“It was just a joke. She’s fine.”
My punch.
My words.
My mother grabbing me.
My response.
And my father throwing the glass.
It did not show what happened in the bathroom.
Still important.
Detective Kent asked Daniel:
“Why did you preserve it immediately?”
Daniel looked at me.
Then away.
“Because when Adrian carried Rosie in, I recognized the marks.”
My stomach tightened.
“Recognized from what?”
May you like
Daniel said:
“Something Bethany keeps in her purse.”
