Chapter 2: The Nurse Who Knew Too Much
I didn't immediately confront Vanessa.
For the first time in my marriage, I understood that reacting emotionally might be exactly what she wanted.
If she had stolen the jewelry, she could easily destroy evidence, move the remaining pieces, or convince everyone that Lily was lying.
I put the watch inside my jacket pocket.
Then I called my mother's private nurse, Patricia.
She answered on the fourth ring.
"Hello, Marcus.""
"Patricia, where are you?""
"I'm in the staff room.""
"I need to speak with you.""
There was a pause.
"Is something wrong?""
"Yes. My mother's jewelry is missing.""
Silence.
Then Patricia said, "Oh, dear.""
I looked at the closed laundry-room door.
"Did you see anyone enter my mother's bedroom today?""
Another pause.
"I've been attending to patients all afternoon.""
"That's not what I asked.""
"Marcus, I really don't think this is the right time.""
"Then tell me when the right time is.""
She sighed.
"Your wife was in there.""
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"Was she alone?""
"Most of the time.""
"Most of the time?""
"I saw someone leave shortly after her.""
"Who?""
Patricia lowered her voice.
"I couldn't see his face.""
A man.
Lily had said Vanessa wasn't alone, but she hadn't mentioned a man.
"Was he a member of staff?""
"I don't know.""
"Did he carry anything?""
"Marcus, I shouldn't be discussing this without—"
"Patricia, my mother's belongings are gone. My daughter is being accused of stealing them. I need the truth.""
She exhaled.
"I saw him carrying a black leather bag.""
"Where did he go?""
"Through the rear entrance.""
I ended the call.
My mind raced.
Vanessa had been wearing Lily's sweater. She had apparently taken the jewelry. A man had left with a bag.
And Patricia knew more than she was saying.
I found Lily in the kitchen.
"Sweetheart, I need you to stay with Grandma's sister when she arrives.""
"Why?""
"Because I need to figure out what's happening.""
She nodded.
Then she reached for my hand.
"Dad, please don't let Vanessa take me away.""
I crouched.
"Why would she take you away?""
Lily looked toward the ceiling.
"She said you might send me to live somewhere else if I kept making trouble.""
I felt something inside me crack.
"She said that?""
"She said you were tired of taking care of me.""
I pulled my daughter into my arms.
"That is not true. Not for one second.""
A noise came from the hallway.
Vanessa.
"Marcus?""
I stood.
She entered the kitchen holding a folder.
Her expression was composed again.
"We need to talk about what happened upstairs.""
I crossed my arms.
"Then talk.""
Vanessa placed the folder on the counter.
"I've been thinking about your mother's jewelry.""
"Have you?""
"Yes. I think Lily may have taken it without understanding how serious it was.""
Lily stepped behind me.
Vanessa noticed.
"Sweetheart, you don't need to be afraid.""
Lily didn't answer.
Vanessa opened the folder.
Inside was a printed photograph of the jewelry box.
I recognized the dresser and the pale blue blanket in the background.
"When did you take this?"" I asked.
"This afternoon.""
"Why?""
"Because I noticed things were missing.""
I looked at her.
"You photographed the empty box before telling me?""
"I was documenting the situation.""
"Convenient.""
Her expression changed.
"Excuse me?""
I stepped closer.
"Patricia says she saw you in the room.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Of course she did. I was helping your mother.""
"She also saw a man leaving with a black bag.""
For the first time, Vanessa looked genuinely startled.
Only for a moment.
Then she shook her head.
"I have no idea what you're talking about.""
"Who was he?""
"I don't know.""
"You don't know?""
"Marcus, I can't be expected to remember every person who walks through this house.""
I stared at her.
Then I noticed something.
A small gold-colored mark near the cuff of her blouse.
It looked like dust.
Or perhaps the residue left by an old jewelry clasp.
Vanessa noticed my gaze and pulled her sleeve down.
"You're making me uncomfortable.""
"Good.""
Her face turned red.
"Don't speak to me like that.""
"Then stop lying to me.""
She snatched the folder from the counter.
"You're allowing your daughter to manipulate you.""
Lily began crying.
I stepped in front of her.
"Don't you dare.""
Vanessa's voice dropped.
"Marcus, I am your wife. You should be standing beside me.""
"I stand beside people who tell the truth.""
She stared at me for several seconds.
Then she walked out.
I waited until I heard the front door close.
A few minutes later, Patricia called again.
"Marcus, I need to tell you something.""
"Go ahead.""
"I checked the security camera.""
My pulse quickened.
"What did you see?""
"Your wife entered your mother's room at 2:17 p.m.""
"And the man?""
"He came in at 2:31.""
"Can you send me the footage?""
"I can.""
"Then please do.""
Her voice trembled.
"Marcus, there's something else. I checked the footage from yesterday.""
"Why?""
"Because the man came back.""
I stopped breathing.
"Yesterday?""
"Yes.""
"What was he doing?""
"He wasn't carrying a bag this time.""
"Then what?""
Patricia hesitated.
"He was standing beside your mother's bed.""
I looked toward the staircase.
"Was my mother awake?""
"Yes.""
"And?""
Patricia's voice became almost inaudible.
"Your mother recognized him.""
A chill ran down my spine.
"Who was he?""
Before she could answer, I heard the front door open.
Vanessa had returned.
And this time, she wasn't alone.
A man's voice came from the hallway.
"Marcus? We need to settle this before your mother wakes up.""
May you like
I recognized that voice.
It belonged to my older brother, Daniel.
