I nodded, my eyes scanning the room. Years of supply chain logistics had wired me to notice blind spots, corners, and lines of sight.
“There,” I said, pointing to the shelf above the fridge. “Angle one camera to cover the counter, and another over the stove.”
He followed my directions without question. I helped thread the wires through tiny gaps and secure the cameras until they were practically invisible.
If Vanessa came near this kitchen with her usual bag of tricks, she wouldn’t know we were watching.
By the time Ethan came home from the hospital later that day, everything was in place. He was tired, but smiling, clutching a comic book the nurse had given him.
“Can we just have cereal tonight?” he asked.
“You got it,” I said.
I poured him a bowl myself, making sure nothing Vanessa had touched was anywhere near him. He ate happily at the counter while I sat across, hiding the storm brewing in my chest.
Later that evening, Vanessa walked in without knocking, as if she owned the place. She carried grocery bags and wore that over-friendly smile that always looked rehearsed.
“I thought I’d make dinner for everyone,” she announced, holding up a bag of produce. “My treat.”
I forced a neutral face. “That’s nice of you.”
She busied herself at the stove, humming while chopping vegetables. Collins had wired the kitchen so I could monitor the footage on my phone discreetly, and though I was sitting right there, I wanted to see how bold she’d get when she thought I wasn’t looking.
I excused myself to the living room, pretending to take a call.
The screen lit up with the camera feed.
Clear as day, I watched Vanessa glance over her shoulder, then slip her hand into her purse. She pulled out a small packet of white powder.
My stomach turned.
There it was.
The proof.
She tilted the packet ever so slightly and tapped the contents into the pot of soup simmering on the stove. She stirred quickly, her face composed when she turned back to slice more carrots.
I gripped the phone so hard I thought it might crack.
My first instinct was to storm in and rip the spoon out of her hand, but I forced myself to stay put. This wasn’t about a confrontation. It was about building an airtight case.
Collins’s text buzzed on my screen: Got it. Stay calm. We’re recording.
I typed back: She’s poisoning the soup. Ethan almost ate that.
We’ll pull samples before anyone touches it, he replied. Keep playing along.
I walked back into the kitchen, forcing my voice to sound casual. “Smells good in here.”
Vanessa smiled sweetly, ladling soup into bowls. “Ethan will love this. Comfort food always helps kids bounce back.”
I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and said, “I’m sure you’re right.”
I took the bowl she offered and set it on the counter. “Let’s wait for it to cool before eating.”
Ethan wandered in, rubbing his eyes. “Smells awesome. Can I try it?”
