Chapter 8 - THE BABYSITTER
Cassie Monroe had babysat Maisie for eighteen months.
Naomi trusted her.
That was why the affidavit hurt.
On at least two occasions, Ms. Reed left Maisie in my care significantly longer than agreed without responding to calls.
Naomi read it three times.
Then called Cassie.
No answer.
Again.
Voicemail.
Lydia took the affidavit.
“When?”
“It doesn’t specify dates.”
“That’s intentional.”
“She’s lying.”
“I know.”
“How do you know?”
“Because people telling the truth usually give details.”
Lydia tapped the page.
“This is written like someone gave her language.”
“Vanessa.”
“Probably.”
Naomi looked up.
“Probably?”
Lydia sighed.
“Still a lawyer, Naomi.”
Cassie was subpoenaed.
During deposition she wore a gray sweater and never looked Naomi in the eye.
Vanessa sat at the opposite table with Graham and his attorney.
Naomi forced herself not to stare at her.
Lydia began.
“Ms. Monroe, you claim Ms. Reed failed to return home at the expected time.”
“Yes.”
“What date?”
Cassie swallowed.
“I don’t remember exactly.”
“Month?”
“March.”
Maisie had been with Graham for most of March while Naomi recovered from surgery.
Lydia knew that.
Cassie did not.
“What time did Ms. Reed return?”
“After midnight.”
“Did Maisie attend preschool the following morning?”
“I think so.”
“Interesting.”
Cassie looked up.
“Why?”
Lydia opened a calendar.
“Because according to school records, the only evenings you babysat in March were Fridays.”
Cassie went pale.
“No further questions on that incident.”
Vanessa whispered something to her lawyer.
Cassie’s hands began trembling.
The second allegation collapsed almost as quickly.
She claimed Naomi had been unreachable for four hours.
Phone records showed six texts between them.
Graham looked increasingly uncomfortable.
When the deposition ended, Cassie hurried out.
Naomi followed.
“Cassie.”
The young woman kept walking.
“Cassie!”
She stopped beside the elevator.
“I’m sorry.”
Naomi stared.
“Why?”
Cassie’s eyes filled.
“I can’t.”
“Why did you do this?”
“I said I’m sorry.”
The elevator opened.
Naomi grabbed the door.
“Did Vanessa pay you?”
Cassie’s face changed.
That was enough.
Naomi whispered,
“Oh my God.”
Cassie began crying.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
“She knows things.”
“What things?”
Cassie looked toward the conference room.
“She said she could destroy my brother.”
“Your brother?”
“He got arrested last year.”
“For what?”
Cassie wiped her eyes.
“Drugs in the car. He wasn’t using. His friend left them there, but the case got dropped because evidence was mishandled.”
Naomi frowned.
“What does that have to do with Vanessa?”
“She had copies of everything.”
“How?”
“I don’t know.”
“What did she threaten?”
“To send it to the nursing board.”
Cassie was studying to become a nurse.
“Your brother’s arrest can’t revoke your license.”
“I know that now.”
Naomi stared at her.
“So she lied to you too.”
Cassie nodded.
“She gave me eight thousand dollars.”
“Where is it?”
“I haven’t touched it.”
“Can you prove she paid you?”
Cassie looked terrified.
“Not directly.”
“How?”
“An LLC.”
“What name?”
Cassie took out her phone.
“VBL Consulting.”
Naomi photographed the transaction.
Then Cassie grabbed her wrist.
“There’s more.”
“What?”
“She asked me questions about Maisie.”
“What questions?”
“What scares her. Where she hides when she’s upset. Whether she knows how to open doors.”
Naomi felt ice move through her veins.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
Cassie shook her head.
“But she asked something else.”
“What?”
“If Maisie disappeared somewhere crowded, how long would you assume she was playing before you called police?”
Naomi stopped breathing.
Behind them, the conference-room door opened.
Vanessa stepped out.
She saw Cassie.
Saw Naomi.
Saw Naomi holding the photograph of the bank transfer.
And Vanessa’s face changed.
Not fear.
Calculation.
She turned around and walked calmly back into the room.
May you like
Naomi knew exactly what that meant.
The next move had already begun.
