Detective Miller took a narrow notebook from his blazer pocket and clicked his metal ballpoint pen three times.

“That changes the whole legal classification of this case,” Miller said, looking straight at me.

“It takes away any defense of an accidental fall or a one-off scuffle,” I said, keeping my voice measured.

“It establishes direct criminal incitement.”

“Brenda didn’t just cover for her daughter,” Miller said, writing two lines in his notebook.

“She gave an explicit verbal order that immediately caused serious bodily harm to a child.”

“Does Precinct Commander Miller have access to this digital master file?” I asked.