Have you ever lost anything, Mr. Peters? Put it down and came back and it had vanish? Your whole world gets a little emptier, and at first you're confused and then frustrated. The more important the item is the more frustration turns to fear. Then you start to shake, and pace. "Where could it have gone?" "Why isn't it here?" "How do I get it back?" Mr. Peters, if you think that when I awoke from my intoxication that morning and went into my daughter's room, and I acted rash when I saw that she was nowhere to be found, you underestimate me. She was gone, and that emptiness set in real fast. I couldn't feel anything. My eyes stung and the world spun and somewhere off in the distance a lamp broke. My mothers lamp actually. Then a ceramic mug, a couple of pictures and an alarm clock. All shattered and exploded the way my soul did when I read the note on the counter. "Dear mike, I've taken Layla, she is unsafe with you." I had to read it five or six times so reality could set in. I don't know what she told you, Mr. Peters, but it's not true, she lies and complicates. Can't you see she wants me in here? All I want is my daughter, my one piece of happiness in life. I didn't ever harm her. I was drinking less. I was taking an art class even, did she tell you that? No? I didn't think so. Mr. Peters, go tell my wife that our daughter belongs to me. That is all I have to say.
My husband? He's insane. He kidnapped our daughter from my house. I have custody! I win her legally fair and square. I don't need this, he broke into my house, he took my daughter and held her hostage for three weeks! Do you know what that feels like Mr. Peters? To spend every waking hour hunting someone who in every moment you fear for their safety? Harold is a monster and if he ever comes near my child again, I can assure you a broken window will be the least of the departments concern. He had depression you know, I don't know if that's useful information, but he was on a lot of medication and I don't know what he saw or thought, but Mr. Peters, I don't wish to see that man ever again. Layla is my daughter. The note? Yeah, after three weeks of never ending hell, I wanted the bastard to know who had the upper hand. That is all.
Frederick Peters. Log 23. Harold and Linda Evans Case file: notes
The Evans case is truly remarkable. Not only did the child change possession twice, but for ably twice. Each testimony is the same, to be without the other, and with the child. However, the most peculiar of all the circumstances, is that there was no trace of a child. Not at either of the Evans households, or in birth databases. There simply is no Layla Evans.
