Chapter 5 - The Blind Spot
Daniel locked the front doors and called his head of security, Marcus Hale.
“No one leaves,” Daniel said. “No one enters without my permission.”
Vanessa folded her arms. “This is ridiculous.”
Daniel ignored her.
Marcus arrived with two security officers and began checking every camera feed.
The photograph sent to Daniel had been taken from the upstairs landing.
There was only one problem.
No camera covered that angle.
“A blind spot,” Marcus said. “Whoever took this knew exactly where to stand.”
Vanessa looked at Sarah. “Convenient.”
Sarah almost laughed. “You think I took a picture of myself from upstairs while I was standing downstairs?”
“I think you have help.”
Daniel cut in. “Enough.”
His voice stopped the room.
They searched bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, storage rooms, the attic, and the basement.
No intruder.
Then Sarah remembered the brass vent in the nursery.
She led Marcus upstairs.
The vent cover looked old, but two screws were bright and newly scratched.
Marcus removed them.
Behind the vent was not ductwork.
It was empty darkness.
He shined a flashlight inside.
A narrow service passage ran behind the wall.
Daniel stared at it. “I’ve lived here six years. I never knew this existed.”
Vanessa’s face had gone pale.
Marcus noticed.
“You did?” he asked.
“No.”
Sarah crouched beside the opening.
Something silver glinted on the floor inside.
She reached in and pulled it out.
A moon-shaped charm.
Daniel stopped breathing.
He took it from her with shaking fingers.
“Emily’s bracelet.”
Vanessa stepped back.
“That proves nothing. Jewelry can be copied.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You told me Emily’s bracelet was buried with her.”
Vanessa’s lips parted.
“I—I thought it was.”
“You were at the funeral home.”
“So were you.”
“No,” Daniel said. “I wasn’t allowed to see her body because you told me the injuries were too severe.”
The room went completely still.
Sarah looked from Daniel to Vanessa.
That detail was new to everyone.
Marcus aimed his flashlight deeper into the passage.
May you like
Far inside, something moved.
Then a woman screamed.
