“Did you see blood before you left the house, Ryan?” Helen asked.

“No,” Ryan said. “I didn’t.”

Helen pulled out another document.

“This is the statement of the responding police officer, Officer Miller,” Helen said. “He noted a large pool of blood on the hardwood floor of the master bedroom hallway. He also noted that a white towel had been thrown over part of it.”

She leaned in closer to Ryan.

“The police forensic team found your fingerprints on that towel, Mr. Parker.”

Ryan’s mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out.

“I will ask you again,” Helen said. “And I remind you that you are under oath. Did you see the blood before you left?”

Ryan looked at the glass wall.

Through the window, Margaret was watching us, her face tense.

Ryan looked back at the table.

His hands were trembling now.

“Yes,” he whispered.

“I’m sorry, the reporter needs you to speak up,” Helen said.

“Yes,” Ryan said, his voice cracking. “I saw it.”

“Where did you see it?”

“On the nightgown,” Ryan said. “And on the floor.”

“And you threw a towel over it?”