“People relapse.”
“Has she?”
“Not officially.”
Ben looked at her.
“Then why are you telling me she is dangerous?”
Diane lowered her voice.
“Because every nanny before you became careless. They liked Emma. They believed her.”
“What happened to them?”
“They quit.”
“Did you make them quit?”
“I encouraged them to protect themselves.”
“And the agency paid them?”
For the first time, Diane looked unsettled.
“What do you know about that?”
Ben removed his glasses.
Then he pulled off the wig.
His mother stared at him.
The color drained from her face.
“Ben?”
“Good thing my wife recovered years ago.”
Diane stood so quickly the folder slid from the bed.
“What is this?”
“The truth.”
“You tricked me.”
“You lied to seven women.”
“I protected my granddaughter.”
“From Emma?”
“From what could happen.”
I stepped out of the closet.
Diane turned toward me.
Her face collapsed.
“Emma?”
“You told strangers I was dangerous.”
“I was afraid.”
“You showed them my private medical records.”
“I had to make them understand.”
“Understand what?”
She looked toward Ben as though he might help her.
He did not.
Diane sat on the edge of the bed.
“When Sophie was born, you were sick.”
“I know.”
