Then she saw the white crib.
The wooden rocking chair.
The pale gold stars Ethan had painted badly across one wall while Lauren laughed at him from the floor.
Her nursery.
The camera angle came from inside her own house.
Someone was standing beside the crib.
A man.
Dark jacket.
Baseball cap.
His back to the camera.
He placed something beneath the mattress.
Then turned.
The image blurred.
Lauren leaned closer.
The man disappeared from view.
The video ended.
Naomi was already calling Detective Mitchell.
Lauren stood so quickly the chair fell backward.
“My house.”
“Police are going now.”
“My daughter’s room.”
“Lauren, you’re not going there.”
“I know.”
Her voice sounded strangely distant.
Naomi grabbed her arm.
“They’ll handle it.”
Lauren stared at the black screen.
That room had been locked.
Only Ethan, Lauren, their housekeeper, and the security company had access.
No sign of forced entry had ever been reported.
