Elena walked slowly toward the small servant quarters near the driveway.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as cold water dripped from her hair.
She had sacrificed so many long hours to care for this family.
Now she was being cast out like trash over a cruel lie.
Inside her modest room she gathered her few personal possessions.
She packed her clothes into a small worn canvas suitcase.
Victoria stood in the doorway holding her expensive leather handbag.
A cold cruel smile crossed the wealthy woman's painted lips.
Victoria: You should have left months ago when I warned you.
Elena: Why are you doing this to me, Victoria?
Victoria: You know too much about my past financial dealings.
Elena: I never told Mr. Vance about your hidden bank accounts.
Victoria: And now you never will have the chance to tell him.
Elena: God sees everything that you do in secret.
Victoria: God does not pay the bills in this house, Elena.
Victoria turned on her high heels and walked down the hallway.
Elena zipped her bag shut with trembling fingers.
She walked out the rear door of the grand estate.
The heavy iron security gates slammed shut behind her back.
She stood on the public sidewalk feeling completely helpless and alone.
She had no money for a hotel room tonight.
Her phone rang inside her small coat pocket.
It was her older brother Thomas calling from down town.
Thomas: Elena, did you finish your work shift early today?
Elena: Thomas, I just got fired from the Vance estate.
Thomas: What happened? You loved working for them!
Elena: Victoria framed me for endangering the baby's stroller.
Thomas: Come to my apartment right away and rest.
Elena caught the public bus across the city to her brother's apartment.
Thomas opened the front door and wrapped her in a warm hug.
Thomas: We will figure out a way to clear your name.
Elena: Nobody will believe a maid over a wealthy wife.
Thomas: Wealth does not mean someone is telling the truth.
Elena sat on the small sofa drinking hot herbal tea.
She kept thinking about the poolside area and its surrounding gardens.
Suddenly a vivid visual memory flashed clearly inside her mind.
She remembered seeing something silver tucked inside the tall hedge wall.
Elena: Thomas, there was a camera in the garden hedge!