Chapter 3 - The Wrong Name

The slam echoed down the hallway. Ben guided Eli off the porch toward the lawn, keeping Vale in view.

"Stay by the oak tree," he told him. "Do not move until another officer tells you."

"But Mom—"

"I am going to look for her."

Vale raised both hands. "A window. It's windy."

"There's hardly any wind," Ben said.

The backup cruiser turned into the street. Officer Tessa Grant stepped out, read Ben's face, and approached without rushing.

"Child at the tree," Ben said. "Keep him with you. Possible adult in distress inside. One male here; unknown person at rear."

Tessa nodded. Vale started talking about grief and confusion, but she continued toward Eli. Ben told Vale to remain outside, then moved through the open doorway, calling out to anyone inside.

The kitchen was too clean. A rectangle of paler wood showed where a rug had been removed. A glass of water sat untouched on the counter. There was a fresh screw in the basement door's latch plate, bright silver against old brass.

"Nora Parker? Police. Can you hear me?"

A faint scrape came from below. Ben tried the basement knob. It was locked from the hall side with a sliding bolt installed at shoulder height.

He slid the bolt back.

A voice behind him said, "You're making a serious mistake."

Vale stood at the kitchen threshold, despite the order to remain outside. He held a wallet open. Inside was a laminated card printed with an official-looking county seal.

"County Emergency Services liaison," he said. "We're conducting a confidential welfare intervention."

Ben knew the county seal. He also knew the card's font was wrong. More important, no confidential operation required locking a woman below her own kitchen.

"Put that away and step back," Ben said.

"Call Director Harlan. She'll explain."

Ben reached for the basement door. The scrape became a voice, hoarse but unmistakably human.

"Don't trust Harlan."

He looked down the stairwell. In the gloom, a woman's hand gripped the rail.

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"I'm Nora," she managed. "And they have a list of children."

She collapsed before Ben reached the first step.