“Before we begin,” he explained, “please understand that this footage cannot establish everything about the individual’s intentions.”
I nodded quietly.
“However, it will help explain what Mr. Lawson was responding to.”
Mrs. Shaw clicked Play.
The video came from a surveillance camera installed near the front of the school bus.
I immediately recognized the familiar surroundings.
The dull gray seats. The bright yellow handrail. The front staircase Ellie had used countless times before. The footage started at Oak Street. A brown-jacketed man stood near a silver pickup.
He walked toward the closed bus doors and lifted one hand.
Frank leaned toward the driver’s side window.
Despite the background traffic noise, their conversation was audible.
“I’m here to pick up Ellie Carter.”
Frank asked him to identify himself.
“I’m her uncle.”
Frank requested his name and asked whether he had authorization to collect Ellie.
The man appeared increasingly impatient.
