CHAPTER 8
Michael called Daniel Reed first.
His best friend.
A family attorney.
A man who had warned him twice not to leave Lily alone with Vanessa for long hours.
Daniel arrived within fifteen minutes, still in his black courtroom suit, his face changing the moment he saw Lily curled in Michael’s arms.
He did not ask dramatic questions.
He looked at the bowl.
The spilled food.
The bandage.
The fear in Lily’s face.
Then he looked at Vanessa.
“Do you have cameras in the kitchen?” Daniel asked.
Vanessa went pale.
Michael turned toward her.
“What cameras?”
Daniel pointed above the pantry door.
A tiny black security camera sat near the ceiling, almost hidden by the trim.
Michael remembered Vanessa insisting on new cameras after claiming a housekeeper stole earrings.
He had signed the installation papers without reading the placement list.
Vanessa whispered, “Those are for security.”
May you like
Daniel took out his phone.
“Good,” he said. “Then they secured the truth.”
