Chapter 6 - The Police Report
Lena reported the assault the next morning.
Officer Naomi Grant photographed the redness across her neck and cheek.
The pharmacy treatment record supported the timing.
Rachel provided screenshots of Diane’s demand and the card activity.
Lena also gave police permission to retrieve the kitchen security footage.
The video began seconds before the coffee left Diane’s hand.
It captured the entire throw.
Eric’s hesitation.
Lena’s question about the card.
His admission that he gave it to Diane.
Diane’s warning not to make the matter bigger.
There was no ambiguity.
Officer Grant asked whether Lena wanted an emergency protective order.
Lena hesitated.
Against Diane?
Certainly.
Against Eric?
That question hurt more.
He had not thrown the coffee.
But he had watched.
He had helped steal her money.
He had allowed his mother to treat Lena as an intruder in her own home.
“Yes,” Lena said finally. “Both of them.”
Rachel filed the request.
By noon, a judge ordered Diane to remain away from Lena.
Eric was temporarily barred from the house because of the financial-access allegations and his participation in the intimidation.
A sheriff’s deputy accompanied Lena home.
Eric opened the door wearing yesterday’s shirt.
Diane stood behind him.
The deputy explained the order.
Diane laughed.
“She can’t remove us. This is my son’s marital home.”
Lena held the cream folder under one arm.
Rachel opened a certified property record.
“The home is held by Lena’s separate premarital trust.”
Eric looked at Lena.
“You’re really doing this?”
Lena’s cheek still showed faint redness.
“You watched your mother throw hot coffee at me.”
“I froze.”
“You also gave her my card.”
“She needed help.”
“With a condominium?”
Eric’s face changed.
Diane turned sharply toward him.
“You told her?”
“I found the payments,” Lena said.
The deputy gave them one hour to collect essential belongings.
May you like
Diane stared around the kitchen.
For the first time, she understood that every cabinet, appliance, and room she treated as hers belonged to the woman she had attacked.
