Denise remained silent.
“I kept making excuses for him, Rachel. Even when I saw what it was doing to your children.”
“You also helped him believe he could do whatever he wanted.”
She looked down.
“When I saw that broken door, I knew something was wrong. I could have walked away. Instead, I helped him load the truck.”
“You also helped him believe he could do whatever he wanted,” I said.
Linda nodded.
“I know.”
Denise placed the itemized demand on the table.
“I want to contribute toward replacing the children’s belongings.”
Linda studied it for a moment, then looked up.
“I want to contribute toward replacing the children’s belongings,” she said. “I helped take them. I won’t pretend otherwise.”
“And Derek?” I asked.
“I’ve stopped paying his expenses. I’ve told him to cooperate with the investigation, and I’m getting legal advice about ending his stay in my home.”
She folded her hands on the table.
