Chapter 7 - Constance believed strictness was love
Constance came from a family where children were expected to disappear when adults entertained.
She told the police interviewer:
“I did not abuse Perry.”
No one asked her to confess to that word.
She continued:
“He was having a tantrum.”
“He was crying?”
“Yes.”
“He was hitting anyone?”
“No.”
“Breaking things?”
“No.”
“Trying to run outside?”
“No.”
“Then why lock him in?”
“To establish a boundary.”
The investigator asked:
“Why not close the door without locking?”
“He would have opened it.”
Exactly.
The lock existed because she wanted to remove his ability to leave.
Then:
“Did Reid instruct you?”
“Yes.”
“What exactly?”
“He said if Perry wouldn’t stay in the quiet room, use the top latch.”
That matched the text.
Constance did not protect Reid.
Why?
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Because in her mind neither of them had done anything wrong.
That arrogance became evidence.
