The Nanny

•41•

The town had been rocked. A town usually known as a home to families and elderly people wishing to settle down.

A town known to be quiet and supportive.

That night a building had gone up in flames. A local hotspot in fact.

The roads had been taped off preventing the curious locals from getting any closer to the rubble.

"What happened?" Whispers were muffled by the sound of brick crunching under the investigators heavy boots as they collected evidence.

Several conversations were being had at the same time.

"Flames were first reported at-"

"A potential suspect was Mr Baraz's ex wife but her alibi checks out."

"A half charred bottle of lighter fluid was found in the rear room. It's label reads 'clipper' "

For some the news was shocking whilst others gossiped saying it was bound to happen.

"It's that business man boyfriend of hers I bet. Probably rubbed someone off the wrong way."

Meanwhile in the nearby hospital Luciano watched as the nurse treated Luna's burnt hand.

"Apply the ointment twice a day before reapplying her dressing. Give her ibuprofen if she complains of pain ensuring you keep to the advised instructions. The doctor will see her again in a week to see how it's healing."

The nurse reiterated as she wrapped a bandage around Luna's blistered hand.

"All done." She chimed as she wiped the tears off a sniffling Luna's face.

Luciano nodded picking up Luna and holding her close. He uttered a thank you before leaving the hospital.

"Where's mama?" Luna asked quietly as she dug her face into the crook of Luciano's neck.

"I don't know." He replied quietly whilst fishing his keys out of his pocket.

He had gotten into the ambulance along with Luna without looking back. Valentina had collected Loai and Xavier.

Luciano was worried. He didn't know where Emi was and he had no way of knowing. She hadn't picked up any of his calls and used Valentina to find out information about Luna.

"She's angry at me." He murmured quietly to himself as he buckled Luna into her seat.

He was stressed. Yesterday night had been spent in the police station in questioning. He watched as Emi conversed with the police telling them what she knew.

Not once did she look at him.

Eliza's alibi had been checked out and confirmed with cctv to prove. She was at a rehab treatment centre getting help like he told her to.

The sound of Luciano's fist punching his steering wheel sliced through the silence in the car. His breathing was laboured and heavy as his mind worked overtime.

They weren't safe until the arsonist had been found.

His family was in danger.

The sound of a phone ringing broke him from his vexation.

"Ciao."

Meanwhile someone watched intently. Their presence concealed by the darkness of the underground parking.