Chapter 2
The police report was ugly for everyone.
That was exactly what Ainsley wanted.
Ramona’s deliberate haircut.
Ainsley’s retaliatory kick.
The children’s distress.
The conflicting witness accounts.
Nothing disappeared because one side behaved worse.
Ramona had bruising along her ribs and hip where she landed on the lawn.
No fractures.
Ainsley was offered medical evaluation for a scraped ankle and declined.
Nell had no physical injury beyond the forced haircut.
Emotionally, she was devastated.
The responding officer photographed the severed braid and scissors before returning the braid to Ainsley after evidence documentation.
Ainsley put it in a paper bag.
Then regretted having it.
Then could not make herself throw it away.
Benedict handled the children while his attorney, Marcus Hale, began collecting footage.
The backyard security system showed the party clearly.
Unfortunately, a large floral display partially blocked the place where Ramona stood behind Nell.
The camera captured Ramona’s arm moving.
Nell jerking.
The braid dropping into view.
Then Ainsley rushing across the grass.
Her kick was completely unobstructed.
Viewed without context, the image was terrible.
Viewed with the preceding seconds, it was understandable.
Still physical retaliation.
Then the professional photographer provided his photographs.
He had been hired for Dulcie’s tenth birthday.
At 3:40 p.m., Ramona specifically told him:
“When Benedict leaves for the decorations, stay on the adults around the cake table.”
He assumed she wanted candid reactions before Benedict returned with a surprise display.
Another instruction:
“If Ainsley gets emotional, don’t stop shooting.”
He laughed at the time.
Ramona did not.
The photographs captured Ainsley immediately after the kick.
One showed her standing over Ramona.
Another captured her pointing while Ramona remained on the grass.
None clearly captured the scissors closing on Nell’s braid.
Marcus stared at the sequence.
“Useful photographs if somebody wanted Ainsley to look dangerous.”
Benedict’s jaw tightened.
“Or normal party photography.”
“Yes.”
Benedict hated that word already.
Then came a phone video from one guest.
It started too late.
Ainsley was already crossing the yard.
Another guest had a longer clip.
The cut itself was visible only from the side.
But the audio was good.
Ramona, seconds beforehand:
“Hold still, Nell.”
Nell:
“Why?”
Ramona:
“Dulcie deserves one day without you showing off.”
Then scissors.
Nell’s scream.
No accident.
That part was finished.
The bigger issue was still motive.
Benedict asked Marcus:
“Why would she need Ainsley angry in front of witnesses?”
Marcus did not answer immediately.
Instead he asked:
“What happens Monday?”
Benedict stared at him.
Monday.
Family court.
He had filed a petition six weeks earlier seeking modification of custody for Dulcie.
Not sole custody.
Not removal of Ramona.
He wanted the current week-on/week-off schedule changed during the school year.
Dulcie had been late or absent twelve times while staying with Ramona.
Three extracurricular payments had lapsed despite Benedict transferring his share.
Dulcie had missed two medical appointments.
Most concerning:
She had begun working extensively in Ramona’s commercial social-media campaigns.
Fashion posts.
Beauty promotions.
Children’s lifestyle advertising.
Nothing inherently wrong.
Dulcie enjoyed some of it.
But Benedict believed the schedule had become too demanding.
He asked for school-week primary residence with him and Ainsley, while preserving substantial time with Ramona.
The evidentiary hearing was Monday morning.
Forty hours after the birthday party.
Marcus looked at Benedict.
“If Ainsley assaulted Ramona in front of both children…”
Benedict finished the thought.
“Ramona could argue my household is unsafe.”
“Yes.”
May you like
Benedict looked toward the photographs again.
The party suddenly had a legal deadline.
