CHAPTER 45
The photograph returned on Friday with a circle drawn around Ava’s face.
A fan account reposted the Endure Austin image and placed an old picture of Cole as a baby beside it. The resemblance became a public game before anyone knew the child’s name.
Cole saw the post in the facility cafeteria and wanted to destroy every account repeating it.
He called Jocelyn instead.
Mara joined the communications meeting by secure audio from St. Brigid. Her voice belonged to her. Jocelyn did not summarize or soften it for the room.
“No confirmation of her name, age, health, custody, or residence,” Mara said. “No false denial. Ask outlets to remove the child’s enlarged image.”
Cole paced beside the black glass. “Say she is mine and anyone approaching her answers to me.”
“That makes threat the headline,” Jocelyn said.
“It is a threat.”
“It is also ineffective child protection.”
Mara spoke. “This is fear, not instruction.”
Their personal phrase stopped him.
Cole pressed both palms to the table. “I am afraid public resemblance will turn into someone finding her daycare or your house.”
Warren answered within security authority. “We can review public exposure, coordinate with hospital and local child-care procedures by consent, and preserve any specific threat. We do not surveil Mara, staff her home, or take over her workplace.”
Mara approved only the narrow information-sharing route. No team personnel at St. Brigid unless hospital security requested assistance.
Jocelyn drafted the statement.
Cole Barrett and Mara Ellison ask the public and media not to circulate enlarged or identifying images of a private child. They will not discuss a minor’s personal, medical, or legal information. The Austin Ironclads support the family’s request for privacy.
No lie. No confirmation beyond their joint request. Both parents approved every word.
The statement reduced legitimate media interest and inflamed fan speculation. Control had limits.
That afternoon, a photographer appeared on the public sidewalk near St. Brigid. He photographed employees entering and asked whether Mara had hidden a football star’s baby.
Cole learned during practice break.
His first impulse was to drive to the hospital with Warren’s team.
He named it before acting.
Mara answered from an internal office. “Hospital security is handling the public boundary. I do not need you inside my unit.”
“Do you want pickup?”
“At the employee garage after my shift. Wait at the point I choose.”
“Yes.”
“No confrontation.”
“Yes.”
He finished practice. Completed treatment. Arrived at the designated time.
Protecting Mara without taking over her workplace required him to wait behind a closed garage gate while another institution did its job.