Derek’s Public Smile
Chapter 11 - Derek’s Public Smile
Derek held a press conference outside the county courthouse.
He said Emma entered treatment voluntarily and coached Lucy to fear him during a marital dispute.
He displayed family photographs.
Vacations.
Birthday cakes.
A smiling child on his shoulders.
The images proved shared moments.
They did not disprove confinement.
Reporters asked about the future guardianship report.
He blamed clerical templates.
They asked why he ran from the diner.
He said the biker group threatened him.
Diner footage showed no threat.
They asked why his vehicle entered White Quarry nightly.
He ended the conference.
Later, investigators recovered messages between Derek and the buyer.
One read:
The child is attached to Emma. Placement after closing prevents future challenges.
May you like
Derek had converted Lucy from daughter to legal risk.
The public smile could not survive his private vocabulary.
