CHAPTER 6: Chapter 7 - The West Staircase

The video was dark and tilted. It showed only part of the west staircase: the rail, the shadow of Olivia's robe, Leon's polished shoes. Maya must have left the tablet under the bench at the landing.
Olivia's voice shook. "You took from your own granddaughter."
"I protected this family," Leon answered.
"I called the attorney. I signed the papers. Isabella will take Maya tomorrow morning."
There was a long silence. Then Leon's voice lowered until the room in the library seemed to lean closer.
"You should not have done that."
The image blurred. A sharp intake of breath. A hand striking the rail. Olivia cried out, and the screen filled with rushing darkness.
Maya began to tremble so violently Isabella dropped to her knees and gathered her in.
The video did not show the final fall clearly enough to convict by itself, but the meaning had entered the room and would not leave.
Leon finally raised his voice. "Turn it off."
Sophia did not. At the end, after the sound of impact, the camera kept recording.
Leon's shoes descended the stairs. His voice came close to the hidden tablet.
"The red light again," he muttered.