The Nanny Said, "Check Your Security Cameras"

CHAPTER 2 - WHAT THE BOYS SAW

Grant stood up so quickly that Noah flinched.

That was all it took for Emily to understand something painful: even before tonight, the boys had been afraid of sudden movements.

"Inside," Grant said.

Sabrina lifted her chin. "This is absurd. She's manipulating children because she got caught."

Emily almost laughed at that, but there was no strength left in her for bitter humor. She rose slowly, keeping one hand on Theo's shoulder. Her old canvas bag hung open. Inside were two library books, a half-finished knitting project, and an inhaler with Noah's name on the label.

Grant noticed it.

Sabrina did too.

"See?" she said at once. "She took that from his room."

Emily met Grant's stare. "Noah couldn't breathe during his nap. It was under the bed."

Noah nodded hard enough to shake his blond hair loose. "She always finds stuff."

Grant looked from the inhaler to his son, and for one brief second Emily saw shame pass across his face. Not because of theft. Because he had not known where his son's medicine was.

They went into the study off the main hall. The boys stayed pressed close to Emily while Grant called up the camera feed from the afternoon. Sabrina remained by the door, too still now, no longer superior.

The footage showed the side hallway outside the playroom.

At first, nothing.

Then Theo and Noah ran into frame.

Seconds later, Sabrina appeared behind them.

She didn't strike them on camera. She didn't need to. The image had no sound, but her grip on Theo's arm was brutal enough to make Emily close her eyes. The boys struggled. Sabrina pointed toward the wall like she was issuing an order. Theo tried to pull Noah away.

Then Emily entered the frame at a run.

She put herself between Sabrina and the boys.

Grant froze the screen.

"What room is that?" he asked.

Emily answered softly. "The old music room."

Theo started crying again. "She locked us in there."

Sabrina finally moved. "That is not what happened."

Grant turned to her.

But before he could speak, the housekeeper appeared in the study doorway, pale and trembling.

"Mr. Whitaker," she said, holding a small silver key in her palm. "I found this in Miss Sabrina's bathroom."