Chapter 17 - Scott’s Backup
Scott moved away two years later.
Before leaving, he came to my porch.
“Need anything with cameras?”
“No.”
“New owner of my place wants system removed. Your fence unit connects through independent service now.”
“I know.”
He smiled.
“Of course.”
Then handed me a sealed envelope.
“What?”
“The original installation contract and network map. Thought you might want.”
I looked.
“No hidden files?”
“No.”
“Good.”
He paused.
“I want to say something.”
“You already apologized.”
“Not that.”
“What?”
“Your camera didn’t save you.”
I stared.
He continued:
“You did.”
“That sounds like motivational poster.”
“Probably.”
I laughed.
He did too.
Then:
“I kept thinking if camera had been off, maybe nobody would believe you.”
“I had witnesses.”
“Some of us were cowards.”
“Yes.”
“I might’ve told myself I saw something different.”
That honesty chilled me.
Evidence protects truth from weakness.
That was why I still kept certain records.
Not because I planned litigation forever.
Because memory is social.
People soften what embarrasses them.
Camera stayed in secure archive.
Not constantly watched.
I eventually removed live fence unit.
Replaced with ordinary motion lights and front security system.
May you like
I did not want my home to become evidence lab.
That was another stage of healing.
