Chapter 6 - Linda Had Been Sending Raymond Pictures of Ellie
I confronted Linda with an attorney present.
Not because I expected litigation immediately.
Because grief and family loyalty had already distorted enough conversations.
I wanted this one documented.
I placed the silver whale keychain on the table.
Linda started crying before I spoke.
That answered half the question.
“You gave him this.”
She covered her face.
“He was Caroline’s father.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“He’s changed.”
“Caroline didn’t believe that.”
“Caroline was angry.”
“No. Caroline was afraid.”
Linda flinched.
Then I showed her screenshots police had recovered from Raymond’s phone.
Photographs of Ellie.
At the playground.
At a birthday party.
Sleeping on Linda’s sofa.
Swimming in Linda’s backyard.
Pictures I had sent Linda privately.
Linda had forwarded them to Raymond.
For eight months.
“You gave him access to my daughter without telling me.”
“I gave him photographs.”
“You gave him information.”
She went quiet.
There were also messages.
Raymond:
Does she ask about Caroline?
Linda:
All the time.
Raymond:
She deserves to know the other side of her family.
Linda:
Mark will never agree.
Then, three weeks earlier:
Maybe he doesn’t have to know at first.
May you like
That was the moment Linda crossed from foolish hope into betrayal.
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