Chapter 8 - The Nanny's Hidden Past
Mark drove back to the estate at breakneck speed, dialing Detective Reynolds on his speakerphone.
"Reynolds, run a federal trace on Julian Vance immediately," Mark commanded, cutting straight through greetings.
"Julian Vance?" Reynolds answered, his voice crackling with static. "Victoria’s brother?"
"He disappeared off the grid after embezzling twelve million dollars from an offshore logistics firm."
"He's back in this city," Mark said, his voice hard as iron. "Victoria confirmed it herself."
"I need an alert sent to the airport and every regional port of entry right now."
"Consider it done, Mark, but get home and secure the girl first," Reynolds warned.
When Mark pulled into his driveway, the security guards stood vigilant at the gates, confirming no one had entered.
Mark rushed into the house, finding Lily sitting quietly on the living room rug, building a wooden block tower.
Mrs. Higgins stood near the arched kitchen doorway, folding a fresh set of linen napkins.
She smiled warmly as Mark entered, but Mark noticed a slight hesitation in her posture.
Her left hand was trembling subtly as she smoothed down her white cotton apron.
Mark knelt beside Lily, kissing her forehead and checking that every door lock was securely engaged.
"Daddy, look at my castle," Lily said proudly, pointing at the towering wooden blocks.
"It's the strongest castle in the world, Lily," Mark smiled, stroking her hair.
"No bad guys can ever get inside."
Once Lily returned her attention to the blocks, Mark walked quietly into the kitchen where Mrs. Higgins was preparing lunch.
"Mrs. Higgins, can I speak with you in my private office for a moment?" Mark asked quietly.
The elderly woman froze for a split second before turning around with a polite nod.
"Of course, Mr. Sterling," she whispered, setting the wooden cutting board aside.
In the study, Mark closed the heavy mahogany doors and turned around to face her directly.
"Who gave you that package this morning, Mrs. Higgins?"
Her eyes widened in genuine panic, her breath quickening instantly.
"The courier left it at the gate, sir, just like I saw from the window—"
"You didn't see it from the window, Mrs. Higgins," Mark cut in, his eyes piercing through her defenses.
"The gate camera footage shows you walked down the driveway twenty minutes before the delivery box arrived."
"You unlocked the security latch from the inside."
Mrs. Higgins began to weep softly, covering her trembling face with both hands.
"I didn't have a choice, Mr. Sterling, please believe me!" she cried, dropping onto the edge of a chair.
"He told me he would kill my grandson if I didn't unlock the auxiliary gate box."
"A tall man with a scar on his temple approached me yesterday at the grocery store."
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"He knew my daughter's address, my grandson's school schedule, everything!"
Julian Vance had already infiltrated the deepest perimeter of their lives.
