Chapter 3 - Vanessa’s second version
Her lawyer advised her not to give a full statement.
Before that happened, Vanessa said:
“I was trying to stop him.”
Police asked:
“By kicking him?”
“I nudged him with my foot because he was walking toward the stairs.”
The detective stared.
“He was already facing away from the stairs?”
Video showed Noah near the top landing.
Vanessa behind him.
Her foot contacting his back.
Then the fall.
Vanessa said:
“I panicked.”
That was plausible only after the kick.
Not before.
Then:
“I blamed Lily because I thought she had left the gate open.”
There was no gate installed at that staircase.
We had ordered one.
Delivery had been delayed.
Vanessa knew.
The detective asked:
“Where was Lily?”
Vanessa said:
“I thought she was nearby.”
Camera showed Lily entered frame eleven seconds after Noah fell.
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Her accusation was made before Lily appeared.
That was difficult to explain as panic.
