Chapter 5 - The Accusation|
The police arrived at the hospital before I could process what my attorney had told me.
Two officers entered the consultation room.
One introduced herself as Detective Laura Bennett.
"Mr. Whitaker, we need to ask you a few questions about the incident involving your son."
I stood.
"Of course."
Her eyes moved toward Emily.
"Is this the employee Margaret Collins mentioned?"
"Her name is Emily Carter. She was the first person to warn me that something might be wrong."
Detective Bennett opened a notebook.
"Ms. Carter, Margaret alleges that you had unauthorized access to the nursery and may have administered something to the child."
Emily's face drained of color.
"That's not true."
"Did you ever give Zion medication?"
"No. I never gave him anything except what I was instructed to do, and I never administered his prescribed medicine without Margaret's supervision."
"Why were you bathing him in the kitchen sink?"
"He was crying. I was trying to calm him while Margaret was away."
"Was that normal?"
"No. I usually wasn't responsible for his bathing."
The detective looked at me.
"Why did you dismiss her?"
I had no answer that didn't make me sound cruel.
"Because I believed she had overstepped her responsibilities."
"And now?"
"Now I believe she was trying to warn me."
Detective Bennett closed her notebook.
"We'll need statements from everyone involved. We also need to secure the home and preserve the nursery items."
My attorney nodded.
"That can be arranged."
Emily remained silent.
I noticed her hands trembling.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
She looked at me.
"Margaret is going to blame me for everything."
"She won't get away with it."
"You don't know her."
"Then tell me."
Emily took a breath.
"She was always polite when you were around. But when you left, she changed. She made the other staff afraid to question her. She controlled who entered the nursery and who spoke to you."
"Why?"
"She said she was protecting your son from unnecessary interference."
I thought about how often Margaret had told me Zion was doing well.
How often she had assured me that everything was under control.
I had believed her because believing her was convenient.
The detective asked Emily about the missing bottle.
She showed the photograph and the courier receipt.
Detective Bennett studied both.
"Where did you find this?"
"In the laundry room."
"Did you take it from Margaret's belongings?"
"No."
"Did you see her receive the package?"
"No."
The detective nodded.
"We'll verify the courier information."
My phone rang again.
This time it was the household manager.
"Sir, Margaret is asking to speak with you."
"Put her on."
A familiar voice came through.
"Marcus, thank goodness. I've been trying to reach you."
Her tone was warm and worried.
"What's happening?"
"I don't know what Emily has told you, but you mustn't believe her. She has been behaving strangely for days."
"What did she do?"
"She became obsessed with the baby. She questioned everything I did. She even searched the nursery cabinets."
I closed my eyes.
"Margaret, did you give Zion something from a bottle labeled Night Calm?"
Silence.
Then a soft laugh.
"Marcus, that's ridiculous."
"Did you?"
"That was a harmless supplement. I explained that to Emily."
"Who prescribed it?"
Another pause.
"His pediatrician recommended something similar."
"Which pediatrician?"
She didn't answer.
"Marcus, you're upset. I understand. But you need to be careful. Emily has a personal motive."
"What motive?"
"She wanted my position."
I looked at Emily.
She stared at the floor.
"That's not true," I said.
"She was constantly asking about the baby's schedule and your personal affairs."
"Margaret, I have one question."
"Of course."
"Why did you call the police before I did?"
Her voice changed.
Only slightly.
But I heard it.
"I was concerned."
"For whom?"
She ended the call.
Detective Bennett took my phone.
"That was interesting."
"Can you arrest her?"
"Not on the basis of that conversation. But we're going to ask her some questions."
She turned toward Emily.
"Ms. Carter, I need you to come with us to give a formal statement."
Emily looked frightened.
I stepped forward.
"She's not the person you should be investigating."
May you like
Detective Bennett met my eyes.
"Then help us establish who is."
