Chapter 3 - THE BABYSITTER WHO DIDN'T EXIST
Grant woke in the hospital that night.
First question:
“The kids?”
Safe.
Second:
“Laura?”
Found.
Third:
“Why were they alone?”
No one knew yet.
Grant thought this was the first time.
Then Tessa said:
“No.”
Child specialist asked carefully:
“Has Mom left you with Miles before?”
Tessa nodded.
“How many times?”
She shrugged.
“A lot.”
That answer changed everything.
Grant stared.
Laura had told him she used:
a college babysitter named Jenna,
a neighbor named Katie,
sometimes her cousin Beth.
Grant paid Laura an extra $1,200 each month for childcare when his work schedule ran late.
He had never met Jenna.
He had met Katie once but Katie denied babysitting Miles.
Beth lived in Tulsa and had not been to the house in six months.
Grant looked at Laura.
“Who has been watching them?”
Laura said:
“Tessa exaggerates.”
Tessa heard.
Her face collapsed.
Grant answered:
“She is nine.”
Laura crossed her arms.
“She likes helping with her brother.”
Helping.
Not caring for an infant alone.
Not for hours.
Then Grant asked:
May you like
“Where’s the childcare money?”
Laura said nothing.
