Chapter 4 - The Nanny Who Left
Richard did not go downstairs.
He sent word that the gala would begin without him.
Victoria called that humiliating.
Richard called it parenting.
He moved Maya to his private study and asked Daniel Mercer to find Mrs. Gable. Then he checked the estate’s exit cameras.
At 5:11 p.m., the nanny appeared near the service entrance wearing her gray coat and carrying no purse.
At 5:12, Victoria appeared behind her.
There was no audio, but Mrs. Gable turned suddenly. Victoria said something. The nanny’s face went pale.
Then Mrs. Gable left.
Victoria came back inside smiling.
Richard watched the clip three times.
“What did you say to her?” he asked.
Victoria stood across from his desk, arms folded. “I told her she wasn’t needed tonight.”
“She looked terrified.”
“She is dramatic.”
“And you lied about her being sick.”
“I simplified it because we had guests arriving.”
Richard stared at her.
Victoria stepped closer. “You’re exhausted. You’ve been under pressure for weeks. Eleanor’s anniversary is coming up, the foundation audit is behind schedule, and now Maya is going through a difficult phase. You’re connecting things that aren’t connected.”
The sentence landed strangely.
It sounded caring.
It also sounded designed.
Before Richard could respond, Daniel entered the study.
“We reached Mrs. Gable’s sister,” he said. “She never came home.”
Richard stood.
Victoria’s face lost color.
Daniel continued. “Her car is still parked at the train station, but she didn’t take a train. We checked.”
Richard’s stomach tightened.
“Find her.”
“We are.”
Daniel hesitated.
“What?” Richard asked.
“Mrs. Gable left something in her locker.”
He placed a folded piece of paper on the desk.
It was written in the nanny’s shaky handwriting.
MR. STERLING - IF I DISAPPEAR, CHECK THE BLUE RABBIT IN MAYA’S ROOM.
Victoria whispered, “This is insane.”
Richard looked toward the nursery hall.
May you like
For the first time, he was no longer asking whether something was wrong.
He was asking how long it had been happening.
