Chapter 3 - THE HIDDEN CAMERA
Nora spent the afternoon pretending everything was normal.
Julian went to his office.
Eleanor remained downstairs.
Chloe stayed beside Nora.
But Nora’s mind returned repeatedly to one thing.
The camera.
Three weeks earlier, Nora had installed a tiny security camera in the kitchen after noticing several strange gaps in her memory.
She had assumed stress was responsible.
Now she wasn't so sure.
That evening, she locked herself in her office and opened the recordings.
The first few days showed nothing.
Eleanor preparing breakfast.
Julian leaving for work.
Nora drinking coffee.
Chloe doing homework.
Then Nora reached the night before.
At 11:42 p.m., Eleanor entered the kitchen.
At 11:44, Julian followed.
They spoke quietly.
Nora increased the volume.
Julian said something.
The audio was faint.
Then Eleanor turned toward the camera.
Nora froze.
Eleanor seemed to look directly into the lens.
Then she reached beneath the counter.
The recording suddenly went black.
Nora stared.
Someone had disabled the camera.
But the audio continued for another seventeen seconds.
Julian’s voice came through.
“She cannot know about the account.”
Eleanor replied:
“She will find it.”
“Not if you keep giving her the tea.”
Nora’s breath caught.
Then Julian said:
“I told you I would handle it.”
Eleanor answered:
“You already failed once.”
The recording ended.
Nora sat completely still.
The door opened.
She quickly closed the laptop.
Julian entered.
“You okay?”
Nora looked at him.
“Fine.”
He studied her.
“You seem different.”
“I’m tired.”
Julian approached.
“About this morning…”
Nora waited.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For not protecting you from my mother.”
Nora watched his face.
“Are you protecting me from her?”
“Yes.”
“Then why were you talking to her about my tea?”
Julian stopped.
“What?”
“I heard the recording.”
His expression changed.
“What recording?”
Nora realized her mistake.
Julian had not known about the camera.
Now he did.
He stepped closer.
“Nora, listen to me.”
“No.”
“I can explain.”
“Then explain.”
Julian looked toward the hallway.
Then back at her.
“Your mother has been hiding something.”
“So have you.”
He lowered his voice.
“I was trying to find out what.”
Nora shook her head.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't know who to trust.”
“Not even me?”
Julian looked devastated.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Nora opened the laptop again.
“The recording mentions an account.”
Julian went pale.
Nora saw it.
“What account?”
He said nothing.
“What account, Julian?”
Suddenly Chloe’s voice came from the hallway.
“Mommy?”
Nora turned.
Chloe stood there holding a small envelope.
“I found this under Grandma’s bed.”
Nora took it.
May you like
There was only one thing written on the front.
DAVID VANCE.
