Chapter 1 - The Fall
The scream hit Anna before the sound of the fall did.
“Leo!”
She spun toward the staircase just as a tiny body rolled over the third step from the bottom. Two-year-old Leo’s blue sock flashed between the rails. His head was about to strike the marble floor.
She lunged.
Her knees slammed into the floor as she caught him against her chest. The impact knocked the air out of her, but Leo was safe. For one awful second he made no sound. Then he sucked in a breath and wailed so hard his whole body shook.
“I got you. I got you, baby.”
Anna’s heart pounded against his cheek. She checked his head, his arms, his legs. No blood. No obvious swelling. Just terror.
Vanessa stood at the top of the stairs.
Perfect white blouse. Bare feet. One hand gripping the railing.
Anna stared at her.
“You pushed him.”
Vanessa’s face changed so fast it was almost impressive. Shock became offense.
“What?”
“I saw your hand.”
“You saw nothing. He slipped.”
“He was behind the gate.”
“The gate was open.”
“Because you opened it.”
Leo sobbed into Anna’s shoulder.
Vanessa came down two steps. “Give him to me.”
Anna backed away.
“No.”
Vanessa stopped.
That single word seemed to slap her.
“You are the nanny,” she said quietly. “Do not forget your place.”
Anna’s fear hardened into anger. “And you are his stepmother. Maybe you should remember yours.”
The front door opened.
“Vanessa? Anna?” Richard called. “What happened?”
Vanessa’s eyes moved past Anna.
Then, with terrifying calm, she started to cry.
“Richard,” she whispered. “Thank God. Anna almost let Leo fall down the stairs.”
Anna went cold.
Richard appeared in the hallway and froze at the sight of Leo shaking in Anna’s arms.
“What did you just say?”
Before Anna could answer, Leo lifted one trembling hand.
His finger pointed toward the ceiling.
Toward the black security camera above the staircase.
May you like
No one moved.
Because suddenly everyone remembered that the camera had been watching.
