Chapter 5 - The Bracelet
The police arrived while Lucy slept.
Detective Nora Ruiz spoke quietly, taking Elena's account before asking to see the original video.
Elena handed over her phone for the agreed copy and described exactly where she had stood.
“Did you witness anything before this morning?”
“No.”
“Then keep that clear. Tell me what you saw, not what you think happened.”
Elena nodded.
The truth was awful enough without help.
Daniel provided the school confirmation and agreed to meet investigators at the house.
Before leaving, he leaned into Lucy's room.
“I'll come back tonight.”
She looked at the clock.
“Before it's dark?”
“Before it's dark.”
An hour later, Elena received a call from the staffing agency.
“We've had a report of theft,” the manager said.
Elena gripped the hospital hallway rail.
“From whom?”
“Ms. Cross says a diamond bracelet was found in your handbag.”
For a moment, Elena saw her rent notice, her mother's prescriptions, and the grocery list on her refrigerator all at once.
One accusation could close every door she needed open.
“She threatened me,” Elena said.
“Before anyone got there. She mentioned my purse.”
“We're suspending assignments until this is resolved.”
The call ended.
Elena sat in a plastic chair and pressed her palms together to stop them shaking.
She had worked for strangers most of her adult life.
She knew how quickly an expensive object could become more believable than a woman in a uniform.
Ruiz returned from speaking with the doctor.
Elena told her about the call and repeated Vanessa's exact words from the kitchen.
The detective wrote them down.
“Your bag is still at the house?”
“Yes.”
“Then don't go back for it yourself.”
Daniel called shortly afterward.
“I heard about the bracelet.”
“I didn't take it.”
“I know what she said you did. I'm not asking you to prove yourself to me in this hallway.”
Elena closed her eyes.
Relief hurt more than she expected.
Then his voice changed.
“The pantry has a keyed lock. Was that there this morning?”
“Yes.”
“Lucy used to get her own cereal.”
Neither spoke.
From inside the room came a small, frightened cry.
Elena rushed back.
Lucy was awake, staring at the dark window.
May you like
“Daddy said before dark.”
Outside, the last strip of daylight was already disappearing.
