The officer pressed play.
At first, there were only footsteps.
Then Steven’s voice.
Then a man.
Then a woman.
All three were discussing Kayla’s prom plans.
Talking about how to isolate her from the family.
Then Steven said,
“If her parents find out, everything falls apart.”
The man laughed.
“They won’t.”
Steven replied,
“Her dad already suspects me.”
Then the woman said,
“Then deal with him first.”
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
The officer asked whether we recognized the voices.
David did.
Then Steven shouted from across the room,
“You’re making a mistake.”
The officer stared at him.
Steven looked at David.
“Ask him why he never told you about the money.”
I turned toward my husband.
“What money?”
David froze.
Then slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope.
