He Came Home for Christmas—and His Four Daughters Were Afraid to Ask for Dinner

Nathan read Peter’s message twice.

He had told no one at the company he was home. Yet Peter knew about the folder Vanessa had just handed him.

The officer watched Nathan’s expression. “Who sent that?”

“My chief operating officer.”

“Do you want to call him?”

“After you’ve copied the phone.”

Peter had been with Caldwell Systems since its first year. He knew the company’s accounts, Nathan’s travel schedule, and which problems Nathan would pay to make disappear. Nathan had trusted him with the household budget because Peter was good at details.

That trust now felt heavy in Nathan’s stomach.

Vanessa arrived at the clinic with an overnight bag for each girl. Rachel met her outside the exam rooms.

“I brought their pajamas,” Vanessa said.

“They have what they need,” Rachel replied.

Vanessa looked past her at Nathan. “Peter called me. He says you’re accusing him.”

“I haven’t spoken to him.”

Her eyes flicked to the officer beside him.

The officer asked Vanessa to stay and answer questions. Nathan heard enough of the conversation to learn that Vanessa had dismissed the chef three months earlier. She claimed the chef had been unreliable. The money for his salary had continued to leave Nathan’s account.

Later, while the girls slept, Nathan called the chef from an old contact list.

Mrs. Ortiz answered on the fourth ring.

“I wondered when you’d call,” she said.

“Why did you leave?”

“I was fired after I complained.”

“About what?”

“Your daughters’ meals. Mrs. Caldwell said I had no right to question her. The next day, Mr. Vale told me my contract was over.”

Nathan leaned against the wall.

“Did you report it?”

“I tried to reach you. My calls went to Mr. Vale’s office. Then my husband got sick, and I had to take another job.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You can apologize later,” Mrs. Ortiz said. “Check the payments made in my name.”

Nathan opened his banking app. Her salary had been paid every month.

He scrolled farther. The two nannies were still being paid too.

Neither had worked at the house since September.

Then he saw a transfer made that afternoon from the girls’ trust account. It was larger than a household expense, and it had been approved under Nathan’s name.

His phone rang.

Peter.