Chapter 5 - The Nursery
Adrian watched the nursery clip three times.
Each time, Celeste disappeared through the window carrying a dark bag.
"What was she doing in there?" Maya asked.
Adrian was already moving.
They crossed the hall to Caleb's nursery. The room looked untouched: white crib, blue blanket, stuffed elephant, rocking chair.
But Adrian had learned that normal could be staged.
He searched the drawers.
Nothing.
Maya knelt beside the crib.
"The camera angle showed her near this wall."
She ran her fingers along the baseboard and found a loose section.
Behind it was a small envelope.
Inside were photocopies of medical records.
Caleb Mercer. Six months old.
Allergy history. Medication. Pediatric notes.
Then Maya saw a line highlighted in yellow.
Mild respiratory vulnerability following premature birth.
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"Why would Celeste hide my son's medical records?"
Maya flipped to the last page.
There was a handwritten note.
POOL EVENT - LOW RESCUE WINDOW IF STRAPPED.
Maya stepped back.
Adrian read it again, slower.
"This wasn't anger."
"No."
"It was planned."
Footsteps sounded outside the room.
Adrian shoved the papers beneath his jacket just before Evelyn entered.
"There you are," she said. "The police want another statement."
Her gaze dropped to the open baseboard.
For one second, the mask cracked.
"What are you doing?"
Adrian smiled without warmth.
"Cleaning."
Evelyn looked at Maya. "Housekeepers clean. Owners don't."
"Maybe that's why housekeepers notice what owners miss."
Evelyn's mouth tightened.
After she left, Maya whispered, "She knows."
Adrian nodded.
Then his phone rang.
It was the hospital.
May you like
Caleb's pediatrician had received an anonymous request that morning.
Someone had tried to obtain full custody-related medical records using Adrian's electronic signature.
