“You used the joint account card at the gas station down the road yesterday afternoon.”

“I did,” I said.

“And you came running the moment you saw the notification.”

“Of course I did,” he said. “You have my son.”

“I used that card on purpose,” I said slowly.

Julian’s smirk faltered slightly.

The wind picked up, rattling the dry branches of the nearby pine trees.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“I have three other cards in my wallet that you have no access to,” I said.

“I chose that specific card because I knew you monitored every transaction.”

“I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist coming here yourself.”

“I needed you to violate the restraining order, Julian.”

“And I needed you to do it in a way that left a clear, undeniable paper trail.”

He stared at me, his eyes dark and still.

“You’re bluffing,” he whispered.

“I’m not,” I said.

I pulled my hand out of my pocket, holding up the small digital voice recorder.

The red light was glowing steadily.

“This is recording everything you say,” I told him.