“Your original statement.
Were you coached on what to say before the police interviewed you?”
“Yes,” Ava said.
“He told me in the ambulance.
He said if I didn’t say I was driving, he would tell them I’d stolen the car and he’d press charges.
He said I’d go to juvenile detention.
He said no one would believe me anyway.”
Patricia wrote steadily.
“Did anyone else hear him say this?”
“No.
It was just the two of us.”
“That’s fine.
Your testimony combined with the physical evidence and Marcus’s corroboration creates a strong foundation.” She set down her pen.
“I have to ask you both something, and I need honest answers.
Is there anything in either of your histories that Daniel could use to discredit you?
Anything he might bring up to make this look like a personal attack?”
I thought about it.
“He’ll say Ava is unstable.
That she’s been resentful.
That she fabricated this to punish him for something.”
“And you?”
“He’ll say I’m grieving and not thinking clearly.
That I’ve been manipulated by a troubled girl.” I met Patricia’s eyes.
“He’s going to fight this.”
“He will,” she agreed.
“Which is why we move before he knows we’re moving.” She closed her notepad.
