Chapter 7 - The Plan Was Supposed to Be a “Ten-Minute Meeting”
Linda eventually told the entire story.
She did not intend for Raymond to hide beneath my deck for hours.
That was her defense.
It wasn’t much of one.
She had planned a secret introduction.
I had a standing Thursday afternoon conference call from home.
Ellie usually played in the fenced backyard while I worked beside the kitchen window.
Linda knew that.
She told Raymond he could approach from the side gate while she distracted me with a phone call.
He could meet Ellie.
Say hello.
Maybe give her a small photograph of Caroline as a child.
Ten minutes.
Then leave.
Linda believed once I saw Ellie wasn’t afraid of him, I would reconsider.
But that Thursday my meeting was canceled.
Linda didn’t know.
Raymond arrived anyway.
Saw me repairing the deck railing.
Panicked.
Climbed beneath the deck to wait.
I went inside briefly to answer an email.
Ellie wandered onto the grass with Bruno.
Raymond saw his opportunity.
He reached toward her.
Whether he intended simply to speak to her or physically lead her away, even Raymond’s own account shifted depending on the question.
That uncertainty was enough.
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A safe adult does not conduct a secret introduction to a four-year-old from beneath a wooden deck.
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