An hour later, the master nursery on the second floor was quiet. Sunlight filtered through the sheer white curtains, illuminating the crib where little Toby was finally fast asleep under a soft blue blanket.
Clara sat on the edge of the plush rug, applying a cold lavender compress to her baby's leg while Mark paced back and forth near the mahogany changing table.
Clara: The swelling is going down, but the doctor on the phone said we need official medical photos taken for a legal report.
Mark: We can't take him to the local clinic without the staff automatically reporting it to Child Protective Services, Clara. Elena knows that. She wants CPS involved so she can claim we are unfit parents and take temporary custody of Toby's trust fund!
Clara: She's a psychopath, Mark! How did my father not see who she really was?!
Mark: She played the sweet, devoted wife while your father was sick. But the moment his will was probated last month, her true colors came out.
A soft knock sounded at the nursery door. Clara jumped, but the door opened gently to reveal Martha, the older family housekeeper who had worked for the Sterling estate for over twenty years.
Martha: Miss Clara... Mr. Mark... may I come in?
Clara: Oh, Martha! Yes, please come in. Is Elena downstairs?
Martha: She's in the sunroom, drinking wine and talking on her cell phone with her divorce lawyer. I brought some warm tea for you, Miss Clara.
Mark: Thank you, Martha. Did you see what happened in the kitchen earlier?
Martha set the tea tray down on the table, her hands trembling as she smoothed down her apron. She looked toward the crib with deep sorrow in her eyes.
Martha: I saw everything through the dining room doors, Mr. Mark. I saw Elena grab little Toby when he spilled his milk. She pinched his arms and slapped his chest because he started crying.
Clara: Martha! You saw it?! Will you testify for us in court?!
Martha: I want to, Miss Clara! I loved your father like my own family, and it breaks my heart to see that evil woman hurting your baby. But... she threatened me last night.
Mark: Threatened you? With what?
Martha: She knows my son is applying for a mortgage at the bank where she sits on the advisory board. She told me if I ever speak a word against her, she'll make sure his loan is denied and he loses his house.
Clara: That vile, wretched woman!
Mark: Don't worry about your son's mortgage, Martha. I will personally guarantee his loan through my own private account tomorrow morning. You don't have to be afraid of her anymore.
Martha: Oh, Mr. Mark... bless you! Bless you!
Mark: But if we go to court, it will still be your word against hers. We need hard, undeniable proof that she injured herself at that nightclub last week and that she's framing me.
Martha looked around the room, then stepped closer to Mark, her voice dropping to a low whisper.
Martha: Mr. Mark... check the security cloud system in your late father's study. The primary router is hidden inside the wall clock.
Mark: The study router? Elena told us your father disconnected all internal cameras six months ago!
Martha: She disconnected the foyer cameras, sir. But your father didn't trust her during his final months. He had a private security firm install hidden nanny cams inside the smoke detectors in the kitchen, the hallway, and the nursery!
Clara: What?! My father installed hidden cameras?!
Martha: Yes, Miss Clara! The password is written inside your mother's old Bible in the library desk!