Chapter 14 - The Lake House
The Mercer case reopened before breakfast.
Old phone records showed Graham Pike had called a property manager near Lake Marlow six times during the week Sophie disappeared.
The property belonged to a shell company.
That shell company was now connected to Owen Blake.
"We're going to the lake house," Collins said.
Arthur stood. "I'm coming."
"No."
"Detective—"
"Your son needs you more than I need another angry civilian at a search scene."
Elena agreed.
That ended the argument.
Arthur stayed with Leo while police searched the property.
Hours later, Collins returned to the mansion carrying a small evidence box.
Her face told Arthur they had found something.
"Not a body," she said quickly.
Arthur exhaled.
"Then what?"
She opened the box.
Inside was a pink plastic bracelet with faded silver stars.
SOPHIE was printed across it.
"We also found children's clothing and a journal written by Blake."
"What does it say?"
"He transported Sophie to the lake house. Pike told him the family needed time to negotiate privately."
"Where did she go after that?"
"The journal says a woman picked her up three days later. No name. Just initials. V.B."
Arthur's stomach dropped.
Victoria Bennett.
Elena sat down slowly.
"She knew Sophie before we ever met her?"
"Apparently."
Arthur remembered Victoria telling him she had spent that summer in Europe.
Another lie.
Leo came into the room holding Rex.
"Dad, can I ask something?"
Arthur quickly softened his face. "Anything."
"Is the girl from the picture alive?"
Arthur looked at Collins.
"What picture?"
Leo pointed to the evidence board photograph of Sophie Mercer.
"I saw her."
Every adult in the room froze.
"Where?" Collins asked gently.
Leo pointed toward the hidden wall.
"On the first night. She brought me water."
Arthur stared at him.
"Leo, Sophie Mercer disappeared eighteen months ago."
Leo nodded.
"She told me her name was Sophie."
May you like
Then he added something that changed the entire case.
"She said Victoria kept her in the old guesthouse."
