“Most of these belong to Claudia. She starts the flowers for the garden in here.” Mrs. Morgan pointed to a row of pots right next to them. It’s January so she plants daffodils, tulips and hyacinths,” Mrs. Morgan said. “She planted the irises last month. Claudia plants irises every year because of my daughter, Iris.” Mrs. Morgan smiled and walked over to some clay pots that held dirt only, and examined them. “Looks like these pots are ready for February. I have no idea what’s going on in here.”

Mrs. Morgan motioned for Val to follow her. “I commandeered the far corner for my own garden. Claudia was so gracious to let me have it. I have to admit, James wasn’t too thrilled about me doing this, though.”

Maybe this is why Mr. Morgan didn’t like his wife to garden. The greenhouse is for Claudia. If Mr. Morgan is having an affair with his daughter’s friend, why not also have one with the nanny too?

Tucked away, on their own were about a dozen pots holding several varieties of berries. Val read the labels. Blueberry, strawberry, raspberry. Mrs. Morgan began talking about berries and times of the year they needed to be planted, but Val wasn’t paying attention, her mind elsewhere.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Morgan stated that Gabrielle liked to have the upper hand, she didn’t flinch. But she wanted to reconcile. It seemed as if she was giving in to them. Maybe Gabrielle was worried about someone, and wanted her parents’ protection. But the other option; if Gabrielle knew about her father’s affairs, at least with Bethany, maybe she was threatening him. Maybe Gabrielle wasn’t flinching, but throwing a punch.

22

Monday morning, Val sat in her office, she had her phone pressed to her ear listening to everything Gavin was saying. He had thoroughly reviewed the video and audio feed from the wire.

“I’m checking Claudia’s background,” he said. “I’ll let you know what I find.”

“What about Jennifer Ballard, Gabrielle Morgan’s next-door neighbor. Do we know who her parents were yet? Her maiden name?”

Val could hear the shuffling of papers. “So far, I only have her marriage license. Maiden name was Manning, not Gruber. Still waiting for a birth certificate to see who her parents were. It’s possible the child was given the father’s last name. Or Ingrid remarried.” Gavin didn’t sound optimistic and Val knew why. They were grasping at straws here.

Val sat back, and looked at her doorway to see Dr. Maddox leaning against the frame. “Mitch, can you hold a second.” Val quickly pushed mute. “Yes, Dr. Maddox?”

“Can you meet me in my office in a few minutes?” he said.

“Of course.”

He turned and walked away without saying anything more. Val wondered what this was about. “Mitch, I have to run.”