Chapter 2 - THE ROOM AT THE END OF THE HALLWAY
By nine that evening, I had learned three things about the Duca penthouse.
First, it had twenty-two rooms, most of which nobody seemed to use.
Second, Matteo Duca could move millions of dollars with a phone call but had no idea how to persuade his daughter to eat half a banana.
And third, nobody wanted to discuss the blue room.
I discovered the last part when I asked the housekeeper.
Her name was Rosa.
She was in her late fifties, with tired brown eyes and hands that smelled faintly of lavender soap.
“The blue room?” she repeated.
I nodded.
“Leah keeps mentioning it.”
Rosa glanced toward the hallway.
Then lowered her voice.
“Don't ask about that room.”
“Why?”
She shook her head.
“Please.”
Before I could press further, Cassandra entered the kitchen.
“Emily.”
I turned.
“Yes?”
“Mr. Duca expects discretion from his employees.”
I met her gaze.
“Of course.”
“That includes not interrogating the household staff.”
“I was asking about Leah.”
Cassandra smiled thinly.
“Leah's difficulties are being handled by professionals.”
I glanced toward the living room.
The little girl sat on the carpet, lining up wooden animals.
She looked peaceful.
Until Cassandra moved closer.
Then Leah gathered the animals against her chest and turned away.
Cassandra noticed.
Her smile vanished.
“Leah,” she said sharply, “that's rude.”
The child lowered her head.
I stepped forward.
“She's tired. I'll get her ready for bed.”
Cassandra studied me.
Then nodded.
“Very well.”
As she walked away, Rosa caught my eye.
There was a warning in her expression.
Later, I helped Leah brush her teeth.
She insisted on doing most of it herself.
I let her.
Then I read her a picture book about a rabbit who couldn't find his way home.
Halfway through, she interrupted.
“Bunny scared.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
“Bunny hide.”
“Sometimes hiding feels safer.”
She looked at me.
Then whispered:
“Leah hide too.”
I kept my voice gentle.
“Where do you hide?”
She pointed toward the hallway.
Then immediately pulled her hand back.
“No blue room.”
I closed the book.
“Okay.”
Her eyes widened.
“Okay?”
“We don't have to go there.”
She stared at me for a long moment.
Then slowly crawled into my lap.
It was the first time she'd touched me without fear.
I held her carefully.
After a while, she whispered:
“Bad lady.”
My heart tightened.
“Who, sweetheart?”
Leah buried her face against my shoulder.
“Bad lady comes.”
I looked toward the door.
The hallway was empty.
May you like
But somewhere beyond it, a floorboard creaked.
And I knew someone was listening.
