Chapter 10 - MY MISTAKEI almost damaged Maya’s credibility.
Not deliberately.
After the interview, I called Caleb’s sister, Erin.
I told her what Maya had said.
Every detail.
The fence.
The phrase:
Don’t tell Caleb I’m here.
Erin came over the next day.
I left her alone with Maya for ten minutes while I showered.
When I returned, Erin was asking:
“Did Uncle Trent tell Grandma to put you outside?”
I froze.
Maya said:
“I don’t know.”
Erin asked:
“Did he want you gone because you saw him?”
I stopped it.
Immediately.
But damage happens fast.
I told Detective Harris—different officer from Mara, now assigned investigator—what happened.
She was not pleased.
“Rachel, nobody asks Maya about the facts except trained interviewers unless there’s an immediate safety issue.”
“I know.”
“You know now.”
“Yes.”
Later, defense attorneys used Erin’s questions to argue later statements were contaminated.
Some were given less weight.
May you like
That consequence belonged partly to me.
Good intentions do not protect evidence.
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