The Nanny Was Not the Killer

Chapter 2: The Voice on the Recorder

The judge ordered the courtroom sealed.

No one was allowed to leave.

Victoria protested first.

"This child is traumatized. She doesn't know what she's doing."

Judge Hart looked down at her. "Then let the recording speak for her."

The bailiff carried the pink recorder to the clerk's desk. Lily stood beside Emma now, gripping her nanny's sleeve with both hands.

The tape crackled again.

Andrew's voice returned, weak but clear.

"Victoria, I know about the medicine."

A second voice answered.

Victoria's.

"You should have stopped asking questions."

The courtroom fell silent.

On the tape, Andrew sounded breathless. A glass hit a table. A chair scraped.

Then came his voice again.

"You changed Lily's trust. You made it look like Emma stole from us."

Victoria's face turned white.

Emma covered her mouth.

She had been arrested after police found stolen jewelry and forged bank transfers in her room. She had insisted she was framed, but no one believed a nanny over a grieving widow.

Andrew's voice continued.

"If I die, Emma is innocent. Victoria planned this. She wants Lily's inheritance."

Lily began to cry.

Emma knelt and wrapped an arm around her.

Then the recording changed.

Small footsteps.

A child's whisper.

"Daddy?"

Andrew's voice softened painfully.

"Lily, hide this. Not in your room. In your toy radio. Remember what I told you."

The tape ended.

The prosecutor stood speechless.

Victoria suddenly lunged toward the clerk's desk.

"Turn that off!"

Two bailiffs caught her before she reached it.

Judge Hart's face hardened.

"Mrs. Whitmore, sit down."

But Lily stepped forward again.

"There's more."

Everyone turned.

The little girl looked at Emma, then at the judge.

"Daddy said the first tape was only for court."

Judge Hart's voice was quiet.

"Where is the second tape?"

Lily pointed at Victoria.

"She has it."