“She said she knew the child. Had the child in her class. She taught kindergarten. That the child was a joyful kid, and that what happened was tragic.”
“What happened?”
He frowned. “That's the part she can't remember. She just said she remembered him being in her class, and then he wasn't. She said it was covered up, and no one spoke about it. They weren't allowed to.”
I frowned, rubbing at my face. It was more than what we had been given, but it didn't give us much. “Does she remember what year? What's his name?”
Kerr shook his head. “No. Which is why I question whether we can even believe what she said. I'm sure it's not the only kid she's had in her class who stopped going. There have to be records or someone who remembers this.”
My stomach told me we were onto something. But I also knew there would be no trace if it was covered up. She might have even signed an NDA, but she might not remember that at her age. “No, I think she's got it. We just need to figure out what year.” Someone had to know something.
I glanced back towards the window and found Nina off the bench. I quickly scanned the space for her and found her talking with the gardener now. She was smiling as she spoke, pointing at a few of the plants. I imagine she was probably complimenting their work.
I ground my teeth together. I didn't like this. I didn't need her getting in the middle of people working or disturbing anything.
“Do you think maybe her kids know anything?”
“What?” I looked back at Kerr, who raised an eyebrow at me.
“Are you even listening?”
“Yes, I'm listening. Do you think her kids know anything about what you said? What kids?”
“Her kids. I could see if they remembered anything. If their mom ever told them anything.”
It was a good idea. They might remember or maybe have her old student supplies and paperwork.
“What are you looking at?” Kerr said, looking outside the window.
“Nothing,” I said, placing my hands down. “Continue. Did you also look into discussing our yearly budget with the guys? I wanted their reports by the end of the week.”
Kerr nodded. “I got half of them and reminded them I wanted the rest by tomorrow. They will be in your office by then.”
I nodded, tapping my pen on the table. I looked back outside and found myself once more looking for Nina. I saw her standing with the gardener, still laughing. They were standing near a tree that was being planted.
I felt anger, hating how she was trying to wiggle herself into the community when she'd only been here a day. I should have known she was going to be a problem, just like my mother and stepmother had been. I needed to handle this before it got out of hand.
“Alright, seriously, what are you looking at?” Kerr looked outside the window, and I watched his eyes freeze on Nina. He looked back at me. “Your wife is here.”
I felt my nostrils flare. “She is trying to wiggle herself into things.”
Kerr frowned. “Looks like she's just chatting with the gardener. There is no harm in that.”
I narrowed my eyes on Kerr. “As did our mother. Who ended up running away with him?”
Kerr shook his head. “It wasn't the gardener. That was her trainer.”
I thought about our mother. I didn't remember her much since she left us when I was only four and Kerr was only a year old. She acted innocent, but what type of person leaves their children high and dry? Who runs off with another man, leaving their family behind? Not someone innocent.
I remembered missing her, confused as to what I had done wrong. Our father seemed reserved about everything untilJulia entered the picture. While our mother had been overly loving, Julia gave compliments and was more stern.
She was our stepmother within six months of our first meeting. Our dad said it was a political marriage, but now I know it was just how she plotted that to happen. She acted like the perfect piece missing from our family and fooled us. She acted innocent, but she was a cunning person underneath all that calmness.
She tried to get to know us, but mostly me, since I was the older brother. And with my mother gone, there was a hole that I felt needed to be filled, and she was willing. But it took a quick turn one night. My father went out with his friends, leaving us behind.
I had been in my room when I heard the front door opening and closing a few times. Our father had been gone an hour, and Julia had no reason to leave and enter the house. So, I crept down the hallway, and I could hear talking. I knew Julia's voice, but I didn't know the others.
“You're sure that he won't be back?” A man's voice traveled up the stairs, and I paused.
