Chapter 2 - Shadows of GreenwichMy mind raced. Only two people possessed the combination to that wall safe: myself, and Mrs. Evelyn Harris, the woman who had managed my household for over fifteen years and held my hand through six rounds of agonizing chemotherapy.
I left the study quietly, shutting the door without a sound. Downstairs, the house was eerily still. Ms. Vance was standing near the front foyer, finishing her phone conversation, while Lily sat on the rug beside the bassinet, watching little Leo sleep.
Mrs. Harris was in the kitchen, carefully heating a bottle of infant formula. Her back was turned to me.
"Evelyn," I said quietly, stepping into the warm, tile-floored kitchen.
She flinched slightly, almost dropping the glass bottle into the warming bath. She quickly composed herself, turning around with her signature warm, motherly smile. "Nathan, dear. You scared me. Ms. Vance said she’s willing to allow emergency temporary housing here for 48 hours provided we have round-the-clock private medical staff on-site."
"Where were you twelve years ago, Evelyn?" I asked outright, stepping closer. "Before you came to work for my family full-time?"
The warm color drained from her face, leaving her pale beneath the soft yellow kitchen lights. Her hand tightened on the counter edge. "What... what kind of question is that, Nathan? You know I was working at Saint Jude’s Hospital."
"The letter in the envelope mentions Vanguard Bio-Tech," I whispered, holding up the yellowed piece of paper. "It says you were on their payroll the month I went into the clinic."
Evelyn's breath hitched. She took a step back, her hands shaking violently. "Nathan... please. You don't understand what happened back then. I was in debt. My daughter was sick..."
"Did you take my records from the safe tonight?" I demanded.
May you like
Before she could answer, a loud crash shattered the glass doors leading to the rear patio.
Shouts echoed from the main hallway, followed instantly by Lily’s terrified scream. I sprinted out of the kitchen, tearing into the living room just in time to see two masked men in dark tactical gear grab the baby’s bassinet.
