Chapter 4 - The Housekeeper's Choice
Lena met me at the hospital parking garage at seven the next morning. She hadn't slept.
"Mrs. Bell called me six times," she said. "She says if I talk, I'll never work in this town again."
"You don't have to face her alone."
"My rent doesn't care whether I'm brave, Nora."
I knew Lena had helped care for her mother for years. I also knew she loved Evie. Both things were true, and neither made her decision easy.
She pulled out her phone and showed me another photograph. The orange top lay across the laundry counter. Next to it sat a little pile of pale blue fabric-covered inserts.
"I took it by accident," she said. "I was documenting a water stain on the ceiling. Look at the corner."
The image had a timestamp of 3:02. Margaret's hand was visible at the edge of the counter, holding the orange shirt.
"Did you see her take the inserts out?"
"No. She told me to clean the upstairs guest bathroom. When I came back, the blue pieces were gone and Evie was walking toward the pool."
I called Detective Park. He told us not to go back for anything and said he'd send someone to the house.
"There's more," Lena said. "Mrs. Bell told the grounds crew to send the trash out early. Usually it goes Thursday. Today is Wednesday."
My phone buzzed. It was Margaret.
Nora, I've spoken to a lawyer. For Evie's protection, we need to discuss temporary custody. Don't force my hand.
I read it twice.
"She almost loses Evie, and she's thinking about custody?" Lena asked.
May you like
Then a truck growled into the driveway beyond the garage. Lena looked down at the time, and the color drained from her face.
"The waste company picks up at eight," she said. "She's getting rid of the blue pieces right now."
