Chapter 11 - THE DAYCARE DOOR
James stopped me before I reached the garage.
"I'm driving."
"She's at Emma's daycare."
"I know. That's why I'm driving."
He called 911 from the car while I called the director back.
"Do not let her near my daughter."
"We won't. The classroom doors are locked."
"Why is she there?"
"She says there's a family emergency and your mother sent her."
My hands began shaking.
Of course she used Mom.
Lauren had spent decades hiding behind our parents. Even now she knew which name might open a door.
We reached the daycare in nine minutes.
Police were already there.
Lauren stood in the lobby in a cream coat, arms crossed, looking offended rather than ashamed.
When she saw me, she laughed.
"You called the cops?"
"Why are you here?"
"Mom asked me to get Emma."
"Mom doesn't have pickup authority."
Her eyes flicked toward James.
"There he is. Captain Control."
An officer stepped between us.
"Ma'am, you're being asked to leave the property."
Lauren's face hardened. "I'm her aunt."
"You're not authorized."
She looked at me. "You're really doing this? Turning my own family against me because of one little tap?"
My rage disappeared.
What replaced it was colder.
"You still think this is about the slap."
For the first time, her expression changed.
She knew we knew about the money.
The officer escorted her outside.
Before she left, Lauren leaned close enough for me to hear.
"You should ask your husband where he was the night before your wedding."
I stared at her.
She smiled.
"He's not as perfect as you think."
Then she walked away.
I wanted to dismiss it as poison.
But in the car, James was silent.
Too silent.
I looked at him.
"James?"
May you like
His hands tightened around the steering wheel.
"There is something I never told you about that night."
