Chapter 2 - Digital Echoes
The precinct waiting room smelled of stale coffee and industrial cleaning fluid. Leo sat on the edge of the blue plastic chair, his grey shorts dusty from the pavement. Across the room, Detective Vance tapped furiously on a tablet, the glow reflecting in his tired eyes.
"The video hit four million views in twelve minutes," Vance said without looking up. "Your stunt caused a media circus outside the station, kid. Reporters are already swarming your front lawn."
"I don't care about reporters," Leo muttered, his voice hoarse. "I care about my mom. You have the wrong person."
"We found Sarah’s fingerprint on the safe, Leo. And the missing fifty thousand dollars from the community center account was wired directly to an offshore account registered under her maiden name," Vance said, turning the tablet toward the boy. "The math doesn't lie. Embezzlement is a federal offense."
"She didn't do math! She helps people!" Leo protested, tears welling up again. "She spends every Tuesday at the animal shelter and helps Mrs. Gable carry her groceries. She wouldn't steal a penny!"
"People surprise you, son," Vance sighed, standing up and buttoning his jacket. "My job is evidence, not character references. Now, your uncle Marcus is on his way to pick you up. Stay out of trouble."
Leo crossed his arms tightly. "I'm not leaving without her."
"You don't have a choice," a familiar voice echoed from the doorway.
Uncle Marcus walked in, his expression tight and unreadable. He wore a dark jacket and looked like he hadn't slept in days. He avoided Leo’s gaze for a long, agonizing moment before walking over and placing a heavy hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Come on, Leo. Let's go home," Marcus said quietly.
"You don't believe her either, do you?" Leo demanded, stepping back and glaring at his uncle. "You think she's a criminal!"
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Marcus hesitated, his jaw tightening as he looked down at the floor. "Leo... there's something you don't know about your mother's past that she kept from both of us."
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