Chapter 3 - The Digital Web
Michael took the clipboard from Detective Collins.
He barely looked at the pages before signing his name.
He was too anxious to get back to me.
He was too anxious to make sure his plan was still on track.
“There you go,” Michael said, handing it back.
“Thank you,” Collins smiled pleasantly.
“We also need to verify your current residence for the billing profile.”
“I live with my brother,” Michael said smoothly.
“At 442 Elm Street.”
Collins nodded and tapped her pen against the board.
“Excellent.”
“By the way, Mr. Hart.”
“The police might need to speak with you later tonight.”
Michael’s head snapped up.
“The police?”
“Why?”
“It’s standard procedure for severe allergic reactions involving minors,” Collins lied flawlessly.
“Just a routine check.”
Michael forced a laugh.
“Of course.”
“Anything to help my niece.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets.
His fingers tapped nervously against his leg.
I watched him carefully.
He was starting to sweat.
“Daniel, why don’t you go get some coffee?” Michael suggested.
“You look terrible.”
“I’ll sit with Lily.”
“I’m not leaving her,” I said firmly.
“You need a break, man,” Michael insisted.
“You’ve been through hell today.”
“I’m staying right here.”
Michael’s jaw clenched for a fraction of a second.
It was the first crack in his perfect facade.
Meanwhile, Detective Collins slipped out into the hallway.
She pulled out her encrypted phone.
She dialed the captain of her precinct.
I could hear her muffled voice through the thin wooden door.
“Send a digital forensics team to 442 Elm Street.”
“The suspect confirmed his residence.”
“Get a warrant for Michael Hart’s bedroom and electronics.”
“He’s an accomplice to attempted murder.”
When she walked back into the room, she gave me a microscopic nod.
The wheels were in motion.
My house was about to be turned upside down.
I turned my attention back to Michael.
“Did you talk to Evelyn today?” I asked casually.
“Before the luncheon, I mean.”
Michael shook his head quickly.
A little too quickly.
“No.”
“I haven’t spoken to her in days.”
“You know how busy she gets with her charity work.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.
“That’s funny.”
“Because her phone records show a twenty-minute call to your cell at 8:00 AM this morning.”
I didn't actually have her phone records.
I was bluffing.
But the color completely drained from Michael’s face.
“What are you talking about?” he stammered.
“Why do you have Evelyn’s phone records?”
I took a step closer to him.
“Because the police arrested Evelyn an hour ago, Michael.”
The silence in the room became deafening.
Michael stared at me, his mouth slightly open.
May you like
The perfect uncle was gone.
The rat was cornered.
