Chapter 3 - The security footage
The mansion had cameras.
Not hidden.
Visible.
Exterior.
Foyer.
Main staircase.
Hallways.
The footage showed Lucille place both hands on Clara’s carriage.
Then shove.
Not nudge.
Not accidentally release a brake.
Shove.
The carriage rolled.
I caught it.
Could Clara have gone down the stairs?
Yes.
Would the carriage necessarily have overturned?
Unknown.
Nobody needed to test.
The threat afterward had no audio because the nearest camera recorded video only.
But twenty people heard:
“Touch me again, and her mother disappears.”
Including:
Two catering employees.
A violinist.
My accountant.
Lucille’s own cousin.
Then my slap.
Also on video.
Clara safe behind me.
Lucille no longer attacking.
I struck her.
May you like
That would matter too.
Power does not convert retaliation into self-defense.
