The Nanny

Surprises and Answers

August arrived moments after Robin's lunch came. Opening his lo mien, he motioned to another container with his chopsticks. "Moo shu pork if you want," he offered August.

Grabbing the food, August thanked him and sank down on the couch. "Getting information out of the government would be easier than getting answers from anyone at Blanchard Financial."

"I was wondering why I hadn't heard from you," Robin replied.

August nodded. "All I've been able to do with them is confirm Regina Mills worked at Blanchard Financial and left ten years ago. Otherwise, their lips are sealed."

"But you said you had movement."

"I do," he replied. "I recently had an interesting encounter with Sidney Glass."

Robin scowled. "The editor-in-chief of The Mirror? Isn't that a tabloid?"

"And a second rate one at that," he agreed.

"So how could Sidney Glass possibly help you with your investigation?"

August swallowed his bite and put the container down. "Because Sidney doesn't have scruples and was willing to discuss the rumors everyone else skirts around. At least the ones about Regina and Leopold, that is."

Robin raised his eyebrow. "I didn't send you chasing after rumors. I sent you to find the truth."

"I know," August said. "But to get to the truth, I need to know where to start looking. The rumors help with that."

"Okay, okay." Robin took a deep breath, not sure he wanted to hear what someone like Sidney Glass printed about Regina.

August took a deep breath. "You know Leopold Blanchard lost his wife to cancer, right?"

"Yes," Robin replied, crossing his arms. "What does that have to do with this?"

"Because it was around the time that whatever happened at Blanchard Financials went down. At the time, it was rumored that Leopold wasn't the devoted husband caring for his sick wife everyone thought. It was said that he had taken a young lover as his wife wasted away in the hospital."

Robin's stomach twisted in knots. "And the rumors said that young lover was Regina?"

"Pretty much," August confirmed. "Sidney said people would whisper about late nights the two spent in the office. And she was observed coming and going from the Blanchard residence."

"She and Mary Margaret seemed to have been close once upon a time. Perhaps all she was was a friend?"

August shrugged. "It's possible. But I do know that Leopold gave Regina a lot of gifts while she was at Blanchard Financial. Well, that is if Sidney is to be believed."

"And I'm sure we know the answer to that." Robin's voice was as hard as the look he gave his investigator.

"Right," August said, standing. "Well, I'll continue running down whatever leads I get. Thanks for lunch, boss."

Robin nodded, softening as the other man reached the door. "August," he called out. "Thanks for this."

With a smile, August left the office and Robin only had his thoughts to keep him company.

*****

            Regina sat at the kitchen table, helping Roland with his homework as Will prepared dinner for the night. She heard the door open and the soft thud of Robin putting down his briefcase. But she continued to focus on Roland as he concentrated on writing his letters as neat as possible, his little tongue poking between his lips.