The Presentation of Evidence
Then, with a composure that felt almost supernatural, she pivoted to the facts. Without a single raised note, she laid out the synchronized timeline. She spoke of the “coincidental” rash, the identical patterns of crimson on their skin, and the digital trail of metadata that placed them both at the same coastal coordinates.
She watched the reactions ripple around the table:
- Her Mother: Her face etched into a mask of dawning horror and concern.
- Her Stepfather: He offered a silent, heavy nod of support, his eyes fixed on Leigh with a profound respect for her strength.
- The Culprits: Derek’s dismissive smirk vanished, replaced by a gray, panicked silence. Kelsey, stripped of her usual vibrant pretense, looked small—her eyes darting around the room, searching for a plausible lie that no longer existed.
