Chapter 9 - THE NEIGHBOR
Ben gave police his phone video.
He had heard shouting through the fence.
Not my first scream.
Earlier.
He hesitated.
That haunted him.
“I thought couples fight.”
Then:
“I heard wood hit something.”
He walked outside.
Another shout.
Then opened our gate because it had been left unlatched.
He saw me in the trench.
Ryan holding the stake.
Ben recorded before entering.
Why?
“My daughter told me years ago if something looks wrong, use your phone before you become part of it.”
His daughter was a public defender.
Useful.
Video began with Ryan:
“You’re going to apologize and come inside.”
Me:
“Get away.”
Then Ben entered.
The recording corroborated the change in Ryan’s tone.
Before seeing Ben:
Threatening.
After:
Calm.
“She fell while gardening.”
May you like
That mattered.
People reveal awareness by rewriting stories quickly.
