She came home early from work… But the smoke alarm was disabled and sitting on the counter.
Sarah pulls into the driveway twenty minutes before her usual time. The porch light is off, though she specifically asked Jennifer to keep it on.
The front door is unlocked. Sarah steps inside and calls out.
Sarah: Jennifer? Emma? I’m home early.
No response comes from upstairs. Sarah sets her purse down and notices the smoke detector on the kitchen counter, its battery compartment open.
Sarah: Jennifer?
Footsteps echo from the hallway above. Jennifer appears at the top of the stairs, phone pressed to her ear.
Jennifer: Oh hey, you’re back. Emma’s already asleep.
Sarah examines the dismantled smoke detector. The battery lies beside it, completely drained.
Sarah: What happened to this?
Jennifer: It kept beeping. Super annoying. I just took the battery out for a bit.
Sarah climbs the stairs. Emma’s bedroom door is closed, which never happens during babysitting sessions.
Sarah knocks gently and pushes the door open. Emma sits on her bed, fully dressed, staring at the wall.
Sarah: Hey sweetie, how was your evening?
Emma: Fine.
Emma’s homework folder lies open on her desk. The math worksheet is completed in neat handwriting that doesn’t match Emma’s usual scrawl.
Sarah: Did Jennifer help you with your homework?
Emma: She said I had to finish it.
Sarah notices Emma’s jewelry box is open and empty. The small silver bracelet Emma never removes is missing from her wrist.
Sarah: Where’s your bracelet, honey?
Emma: I don’t know.
Jennifer appears in the doorway, car keys already in her hand.
Jennifer: Everything good? I should probably head out.
Sarah: Actually, can we talk downstairs for a minute?
The three of them walk to the living room. Sarah notices muddy footprints on the carpet leading from the back door to the stairs.
Sarah: Did you go outside today?
Jennifer: Just to check the mail.
Sarah: The mailbox is by the front door.
Jennifer: Right. I meant… I took Emma out back for some fresh air.
Sarah looks at Emma, who shakes her head almost imperceptibly.
Sarah: Emma, did you go outside today?
Emma: No.
Jennifer’s phone buzzes. She glances at it and her face changes.
Jennifer: Listen, I really need to go. My mom’s expecting me.
Sarah: It’s only eight-thirty.
Jennifer: She worries when I’m out late.
Sarah walks to the back door. The deadbolt is unlocked, and there are scratches around the lock mechanism.
Sarah: Jennifer, did someone else come over today?
Jennifer: What? No. Why would you ask that?
Sarah: These scratches weren’t here this morning.
Jennifer: I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Emma tugs on Sarah’s sleeve.
Emma: Mom, can I talk to you?
Sarah: Of course, sweetheart.
They step into the kitchen. Emma’s voice drops to a whisper.
Emma: She brought someone over. A man. They went through your room.
Sarah’s stomach drops. She looks back toward the living room where Jennifer is gathering her things.
Sarah: What did they take?
Emma: I don’t know. They told me to stay in my room and not come out.
Sarah: Did they hurt you?
Emma: No, but they said bad things would happen if I told anyone.
Sarah returns to the living room. Jennifer is already putting on her jacket.
Sarah: Jennifer, I think there’s been a misunderstanding.
Jennifer: About what?
Sarah: Emma mentioned you had a visitor today.
Jennifer: That’s not true. Kids make things up sometimes.
Sarah: She also mentioned you went through my bedroom.
Jennifer: I would never do that. Emma’s obviously confused.
Sarah walks to her purse and pulls out her phone.
Sarah: I’m going to call your references to clear this up.
Jennifer: You don’t need to do that.
Sarah: Mrs. Patterson, right? The number you gave me?
Jennifer: She’s probably asleep by now.
Sarah dials the number. After three rings, a recorded message plays: “This number is no longer in service.”
Sarah: Interesting.
Jennifer: Phone numbers change all the time.
Sarah tries the second reference. Same message.
Sarah: Both numbers are disconnected.
Jennifer: That’s weird. Maybe they moved.
Sarah opens her laptop and searches Jennifer’s full name online. No social media profiles appear. No background information.
Sarah: Jennifer Morrison, age nineteen, from Riverside?
Jennifer: Yeah, that’s me.
Sarah: There’s no record of anyone by that name in Riverside.
Jennifer: I’m private about social media.
Sarah walks upstairs to her bedroom. Her jewelry box is open. The spare cash she keeps in her dresser drawer is gone.
Sarah: Jennifer, I need you to empty your bag.
Jennifer: Excuse me?
Sarah: My jewelry and cash are missing.
Jennifer: I didn’t take anything.
Sarah: Then you won’t mind showing me what’s in your bag.
Jennifer: This is insulting. I’ve been nothing but professional.
Emma appears at the top of the stairs.
Emma: Mom, she put things in her bag when the man left.
Jennifer: She’s lying.
Sarah: Emma doesn’t lie.
Sarah reaches for Jennifer’s bag. Jennifer pulls it away.
Jennifer: You can’t just search my personal belongings.
Sarah: I can if they contain my personal belongings.
Jennifer: I’m leaving.
Sarah: No, you’re not.
Sarah positions herself between Jennifer and the front door.
Sarah: We’re going to wait for the police.
Jennifer: The police? Are you serious?
Sarah: Very serious.
Sarah dials 911. Jennifer makes a move toward the back door.
Sarah: Emma, go to your room and lock the door.
Emma runs upstairs. The sound of her bedroom door slamming echoes through the house.
Jennifer: This is all a big misunderstanding.
Sarah: The police can sort it out.
Dispatcher: 911, what’s your emergency?
Sarah: I need officers at 1247 Oak Street. I have a babysitter who I believe has stolen from my home and may have had an accomplice.
Jennifer: I’m not staying for this.
Jennifer rushes toward the back door. Sarah follows.
Sarah: The door is locked, and I have the key.
Jennifer: Let me out.
Sarah: Not until the police arrive.
Jennifer tries the handle anyway. The door doesn’t budge.
Jennifer: This is kidnapping.
Sarah: This is detaining a suspected thief.
Red and blue lights flash through the front windows. Two officers approach the door.
Sarah opens it immediately.
Officer Martinez: Ma’am, we received a call about a theft?
Sarah: Yes, this is Jennifer. She was babysitting my daughter. Money and jewelry are missing, and my daughter witnessed her putting items in her bag.
Officer Martinez: Miss, can we see some identification?
Jennifer: I don’t have to show you anything.
Officer Chen: Actually, you do. We’re investigating a reported theft.
Jennifer reluctantly hands over a driver’s license. Officer Martinez examines it.
Officer Martinez: This ID shows Jennifer Williams, not Jennifer Morrison.
Sarah: She gave me a false name.
Officer Chen: Miss Williams, would you consent to a search of your bag?
Jennifer: No.
Officer Martinez: We can obtain a warrant, but it would be easier if you cooperated.
Jennifer: Fine. But this is harassment.
Jennifer opens her bag. Sarah’s silver bracelet is visible on top, along with three twenty-dollar bills.
Officer Chen: Ma’am, can you identify these items?
Sarah: That’s my daughter’s bracelet and the emergency cash from my dresser.
Officer Martinez: Miss Williams, how do you explain having these items?
Jennifer: She’s setting me up.
Officer Chen: The child is a witness. We’ll need to speak with her.
Emma comes downstairs, staying close to Sarah.
Officer Martinez: Sweetheart, can you tell us what happened today?
Emma: Jennifer brought a man over. They went upstairs while I did homework. Then they came down with things from Mom’s room.
Officer Chen: What did the man look like?
Emma: Tall. He had a tattoo on his neck.
Officer Martinez: Did they threaten you?
Emma: They said I couldn’t tell anyone or something bad would happen to Mom.
Officer Chen: Miss Williams, you’re under arrest for theft and child endangerment.
Jennifer: This is ridiculous.
Officer Martinez reads Jennifer her rights while Officer Chen takes photos of the evidence.
Sarah: Will we need to press charges?
Officer Chen: We’ll need statements from both you and your daughter. The district attorney will decide on prosecution.
Jennifer: I want a lawyer.
Officer Martinez: That’s your right.
The officers escort Jennifer to their patrol car. Sarah watches through the window as they drive away.
Sarah: Are you okay, sweetheart?
Emma: Is she coming back?
Sarah: No, honey. She’s never coming back.
Emma: Good.
Sarah: Why didn’t you call me when they arrived?
Emma: She took my phone. She said if I tried to call anyone, the man would hurt you.
Sarah: You were so brave today.
Emma: I was scared.
Sarah: Being brave means doing the right thing even when you’re scared.
The house feels quiet now. Sarah checks all the locks and reinstalls the smoke detector battery.
Emma: Mom, how did you know something was wrong?
Sarah: The smoke detector was the first clue. You never disable those, even if they’re beeping.
Emma: What made you come home early?
Sarah: I had a feeling. Sometimes moms just know.
Emma: Will we get a different babysitter?
Sarah: Eventually. But we’ll be much more careful about checking references.
Emma: Can we change the locks?
Sarah: First thing tomorrow.
They sit together on the couch. Emma curls up next to Sarah.
Emma: I’m glad you came home.
Sarah: Me too, sweetheart. Me too.
The porch light glows steadily outside. Sarah makes a mental note to never leave Emma with anyone whose background she hasn’t personally verified.
Emma: Mom?
Sarah: Yes?
Emma: Next time, can we just stay home?
Sarah: That sounds perfect.
