I Hired A Cleaner While My Family Was Away

were in front of my house, lights flashing against the Christmas wreath still hanging on my door.

Tanya was on the porch step, pale, clutching my spare key like it had burned her.

An officer stopped me at the walkway.

“Ma’am,” he said carefully, “your cleaner says she heard a baby crying. Do you have an infant in the home?”

I stared at him.

“My youngest continue reading …