Chapter 4 - Someone Was Still in the House

Ethan ran upstairs so fast he hit his shoulder against the basement doorframe.

Claire was right behind him.

The nursery window stood open.

Cold air pushed the curtains into the room. Broken glass glittered across the hardwood. Lily was still in her bassinet, crying but unharmed.

Ethan lifted her, scanning every corner.

"Stay back," he told Claire.

He checked the hallway, bathroom, guest room, and stairs. No one.

Then he found muddy prints near the side door.

Someone had entered while the police were still processing Margaret's arrest, or immediately after they left.

On the kitchen counter sat a single photograph.

Ethan picked it up.

It showed him at nineteen standing beside his older brother, Noah, outside a lake cabin. Noah was grinning with one arm around Ethan's neck.

Someone had written on the back in black marker:

YOUR FATHER LIED.

Claire saw it over his shoulder.

"Oh God."

Ethan turned. "You know what this means."

"I know what your father believed."

"Which is?"

Claire glanced toward the nursery as if she feared the walls themselves were listening.

"He believed Noah didn't die in an accident."

Ethan felt the room tilt.

Everyone knew the story. Noah had driven drunk after an argument, lost control on a rain-slick road, and crashed through a guardrail. Ethan had spent years hating himself because he was the one who had refused to hand over his car keys.

"That's insane."

"Your father didn't think so."

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"Because he was afraid you'd confront your mother."

Ethan stared at her.

"Why would I confront my mother about Noah's crash?"

Claire's silence answered before her mouth did.

"No."

"Ethan—"

"No. Say it."

Her voice barely carried.

"Your father thought Margaret was there that night."

A car engine started outside.

Ethan rushed to the front window.

A dark SUV pulled away from the curb with its lights off.

He caught only the last three characters of the plate.

K9L.

Claire's phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

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