Chapter 2 - Audrey Came Home Too FastOne officer remained with Darlene.
The other moved toward the stairs.
Gavin started after him.
Then Mia grabbed his jacket.
“Daddy.”
He stopped.
That was all it took.
Whoever was upstairs mattered.
Mia mattered more.
He returned to her.
A paramedic gently checked her mouth and breathing.
“Did you swallow any of it?”
Mia shook her head.
“No.”
“You spit everything out?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
The paramedic smiled.
“You did exactly what you should have done.”
Mia looked toward Darlene.
Darlene was crying now.
Mia moved closer to Gavin.
The officer asked Darlene:
“Who else has access to the house?”
“Mrs. Ellison.”
“Anyone else?”
“Household staff. Mr. Ellison’s sister sometimes.”
Gavin looked toward the stairs.
“Was Audrey supposed to be here?”
“No.”
His wife was attending a foundation luncheon downtown.
At least, she was supposed to be.
Then heels clicked in the hallway.
Gavin looked up.
Audrey Ellison appeared.
Cream coat.
Dark hair pinned back.
Handbag over one shoulder.
Her face changed the moment she saw Mia.
“Oh my God.”
She rushed forward.
“Mia!”
Mia did not run to her.
That stopped Audrey.
“What happened?”
Gavin slowly stood.
“You tell me.”
Audrey stared.
“What?”
“Why are you home?”
“I live here.”
“You were supposed to be downtown.”
“I left early.”
“Why?”
Audrey glanced toward Darlene.
Only for a second.
Gavin saw it.
Darlene saw it too.
Audrey said:
“I wasn’t feeling well.”
Darlene laughed bitterly.
“You got here fast.”
Audrey’s face hardened.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
The paramedic looked between them.
Gavin said:
“Darlene forced dog food against Mia’s mouth.”
Audrey went white.
Then furious.
She turned.
“You disgusting—”
“Stop.”
Gavin’s voice cut through the kitchen.
Audrey stared at him.
“You’re telling me she attacked our daughter and you’re stopping me?”
“I’m stopping everyone.”
Darlene said quietly:
“He’s right.”
Audrey’s eyes flashed.
“You don’t get to speak.”
Darlene’s jaw tightened.
“There she is.”
Gavin looked between them.
Not employer and employee.
Not anymore.
Something older.
Something personal.
Mia tugged his hand.
“I want to go.”
“You will.”
The paramedic recommended a medical evaluation.
Gavin agreed.
Audrey immediately stepped forward.
“I’ll take her.”
Mia grabbed Gavin tighter.
“No.”
Audrey froze.
“Mia?”
“I want Dad.”
A hurt expression crossed Audrey’s face.
Then disappeared.
“Of course.”
But Gavin had seen the second expression underneath.
Irritation.
That bothered him.
The officer returned from upstairs.
“No one found.”
Gavin frowned.
“I heard a door.”
“The rear terrace door is open.”
Audrey said:
“Probably wind.”
Darlene laughed again.
Audrey spun toward her.
“What?”
“You think he’s still going to believe everything you say.”
Audrey stepped closer.
“You will never work in this house again.”
Darlene smiled bitterly.
“You said that yesterday.”
Gavin’s attention snapped toward her.
“What happened yesterday?”
Neither answered.
“Darlene.”
She looked at him.
“Your wife came into my room.”
Audrey shook her head.
“She’s lying.”
“She took my phone.”
Mia immediately said:
“I saw her.”
The room became silent.
Audrey looked at her daughter.
“Mia.”
“You put it in your purse.”
Audrey crouched.
“Honey, you’re upset. You’re remembering something else.”
Mia shook her head harder.
“No.”
Gavin watched Audrey.
“Do you have a blue phone?”
“No.”
“Can I see your purse?”
Audrey stared.
“You cannot be serious.”
“Show me.”
“Gavin.”
“Show me.”
Audrey’s eyes narrowed.
“This is humiliating.”
Darlene whispered:
“Now you know.”
Audrey spun.
“Shut up.”
The contempt was instant.
No hesitation.
Gavin looked at his wife differently.
Audrey handed over the purse.
“Fine.”
He opened it.
Wallet.
Keys.
Lipstick.
Sunglasses.
Nothing blue.
Audrey folded her arms.
“Happy?”
“No.”
Mia stared at the bag.
“It has another pocket.”
Audrey’s face went pale.
Gavin looked down.
A zipper ran along the bottom.
He opened it.
No phone.
But inside was a tiny memory card.
Darlene stopped breathing.
Audrey reached for it.
“Give me that.”
Gavin stepped backward.
“What is this?”
Audrey’s expression changed.
Not anger.
Fear.
Real fear.
Darlene whispered:
“She took it out of my phone.”
Audrey looked at her.
“You’re finished.”
Darlene laughed.
“I was finished six years ago.”
Gavin stared.
“What happened six years ago?”
Audrey shook her head.
“Nothing.”
Darlene looked at him.
“Ask her about Reid.”
Gavin’s stomach tightened.
Reid Lawson.
His best friend.
Business partner.
Mia’s godfather.
Audrey said:
“Do not.”
Gavin looked at his wife.
“Do not what?”
“Listen to her.”
Darlene’s voice rose.
“You spent six years making sure he never did.”
Audrey’s hand trembled.
Gavin closed his fingers around the memory card.
“What’s on this?”
Audrey stared at him.
Then whispered:
“If you play that, our family may not survive it.”
Gavin felt Mia grip his hand.
He looked down at his daughter.
Then back at Audrey.
“Our family is already standing in a kitchen where a six-year-old was just punished because two adults hate each other.”
Audrey’s eyes filled.
Gavin held up the card.
May you like
“If this destroys something, I want to know what was already broken.”
And for the first time since she entered, Audrey had nothing to say.
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