Julian lowered his clenched fist slowly, the veins along his forearms pulsing with cold dread.
Julian: Victoria... what did Toby just say to me?
Victoria: He is completely confused, Julian! The boy almost drowned! He had water in his lungs!
Julian: Did you kick his toy into the pool?
Victoria: Of course not! Why would you even ask me such a monstrous question? I'm his mother!
Maya: You're his stepmother, Mrs. Vance. And you weren't even on the ground level when he fell in.
Victoria's head snapped around, her face twisting into sharp fury.
Victoria: Shut your mouth! How dare an hourly cleaner speak to me in front of my husband?
Maya: Because I almost drowned trying to drag him off the bottom of the deep end!
Julian: Maya, stand up. Look at me right now and speak clearly.
Maya pushed herself up from the wet stone steps, her knees shaking under her damp uniform.
Maya: I was folding linen in the pool cabana, Mr. Vance. I heard a loud splash and a scream.
Julian: And where was Victoria?
Maya: She was standing on the second-story master bedroom terrace. She had a glass of wine in her hand.
Victoria: That is a disgusting lie! I was right down here by the lounge chairs!
Julian: Were you, Victoria?
Julian looked down at his wife's feet. Her pristine leather sandals were completely dry.
Her designer cream skirt didn't have a single drop of pool water on the hem.
Julian: You told me you jumped into the water to rescue him from Maya.
Victoria: I... I didn't jump all the way in! I leaned over the edge! I tried to reach him with my arms!
Julian: If you were down here, why didn't you pull him out before he went under?
Victoria: Because this girl rushed over and got between us! She was acting erratic all morning!
Maya: I was in the laundry building until I heard him choke! When I ran out, he was already at the bottom!
Victoria: Julian, call the police right now! Why are you debating this with a servant?
Julian: Toby, come here to Daddy.
Julian knelt down on one knee, gently pulling his four-year-old son into his arms, feeling the boy's racing heart.
Julian: Tell me what happened, Toby. Did Maya push you?
Toby: No, Daddy. Maya had her shoes on when she jumped in deep. She swam down and pushed my head out of the water.
Julian: And what about Victoria?
Toby: I told Mommy I couldn't reach my truck. She said I had to get it myself, or she would throw it in the trash.
Victoria's hand flew to her throat, her designer diamond bracelet catching the harsh sun.
Victoria: He is four years old! He makes up fairy tales all day long!
Julian: Toby doesn't lie to me. Never has.
Victoria: So you're choosing to take the side of a traumatized toddler and a girl who cleans our toilets?
Maya: There is a camera on the roofline, Mr. Vance.
Victoria's entire posture stiffened, her spine locking as she looked up toward the eaves of the villa.
Victoria: That camera has been dead since the thunderstorm last week, Maya. Don't play games you can't win.
Julian: Actually, Victoria... the security company rewired that entire corner yesterday afternoon.
Victoria stepped back, her heels clicking rapidly against the dry flagstones.
Victoria: Even if they did, the signal has been cutting out all morning!
Julian: We'll find out right now. Marcus! Are you in the security booth?
The garden intercom crackled to life, the security manager's deep voice echoing through the courtyard speakers.
Marcus: Yes, Mr. Vance. I have all outdoor camera feeds loaded on the main console.
Julian: Lock the front gates. Nobody leaves this estate until I see the playback.
Julian scooped Toby into his arms, gesturing sharply toward the lower terrace entrance.
Julian: Both of you, downstairs. Now.