Chapter 4
Bernadette gave her explanation through counsel.
She claimed she believed Daniel was preparing to remove Ethan from Illinois permanently without allowing Nora’s family meaningful contact.
That part was true.
Daniel’s Seattle job offer was real.
He had visited twice.
He had toured schools.
Nothing about that was illegal.
He was Ethan’s sole surviving parent.
Bernadette’s attorney argued that she had been emotionally distressed by the possibility of losing contact with her grand-nephew.
The overnight bag, she claimed, was simply preparation in case Ethan stayed late.
The passport had been “mistakenly included.”
Rebecca read that sentence aloud.
Adriano laughed once.
“No one accidentally enters Daniel’s house, opens a locked drawer, takes a passport, and mistakenly puts it beside cash and a prepaid phone.”
“We don’t know who took it yet.”
“Somebody did.”
“Yes.”
That distinction was annoying but important.
The family-office investigation showed Bernadette had retained a family-law attorney five weeks earlier.
Not the attorney currently representing her.
A different one.
She had asked general questions about emergency guardianship.
Specifically:
What happens if a surviving parent suddenly becomes unavailable?
Can a maternal uncle seek temporary custody?
How quickly can a child be enrolled at a new address?
Can emergency orders be obtained overnight?
Adriano stared at the consultation notes.
“My name?”
Rebecca nodded.
“She asked whether a wealthy maternal uncle with an established home and close relationship with the child would have standing.”
“Did she identify me?”
“Not by name in the initial notes.”
“She didn’t need to.”
No.
She didn’t.
Adriano called Daniel.
He told him everything.
Daniel was silent for several seconds.
Then:
“Did you know she wanted you to take Ethan?”
“No.”
“Did you ever want that?”
Adriano answered carefully.
“After Nora died, I wondered whether he’d be better closer to family.”
Daniel’s voice cooled.
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Adriano closed his eyes.
“No. I never planned to take your son from you.”
“Did you ever think I was a bad father?”
“No.”
“Did you ever tell Bernadette that?”
“I complained that you were keeping Ethan away.”
“That’s different.”
“Yes.”
“Did you complain enough that she could decide she was doing this for you?”
That question hurt because the answer might be yes.
“I don’t know.”
Daniel exhaled.
“That answer I believe.”
The following afternoon, investigators learned who had taken the passport.
A private investigator Bernadette hired had photographed Daniel entering his gym.
While Daniel was inside, Bernadette’s longtime assistant used an old emergency key Nora had once given the family.
She entered Daniel’s house.
The assistant admitted it after her lawyer became involved.
She said Bernadette told her Adriano needed Ethan’s documents “in case Daniel ran.”
May you like
Adriano had never requested them.
Bernadette had begun building an emergency before any emergency existed.
