Chapter 2 - The Camera Above the Door

Daniel had installed the camera eight months earlier after a package had disappeared from the back hallway.

He had almost forgotten about it.

Claire clearly had not.

"It's not recording," she said too quickly.

Daniel looked toward the narrow black lens above the pantry door.

"You sure about that?"

"The subscription expired."

Noah pulled back from his father's chest.

"She checks it every night."

Claire snapped, "Noah, stop lying."

Daniel stood.

"Don't speak to him."

For the first time, Claire looked afraid.

Daniel called his sister, Rachel, who lived six minutes away. He kept his voice steady and told her only what she needed to know.

"Come get the kids. Right now."

"Are they hurt?"

Daniel looked at Noah and Lily.

"They're scared. Just come."

Then he called the police.

Claire laughed once, sharp and unbelieving.

"You're calling the police on your wife?"

"I'm calling them because two children in my house were terrified of you."

"They were having tantrums!"

"Noah was standing in front of Lily."

"Because he is dramatic."

Daniel stared at her.

"He's five."

That shut her up.

Rachel arrived before the officers did. The moment Lily saw her aunt, she began crying again.

"Aunt Rachel, can we sleep at your house?"

Rachel's eyes moved to Daniel.

He nodded.

"As long as they want."

Noah hesitated at the door.

"Daddy, come too."

"I will. I just need to talk to the officers first."

Noah looked toward Claire and whispered, "Don't stay alone with her."

Daniel's throat tightened.

"I won't."

After the children left, he opened the security app on his phone.

Claire took one step toward him.

"Daniel, we should talk before you watch anything."

"Why?"

"Because cameras don't show context."

He signed in.

There were dozens of saved clips.

Not one.

Dozens.

The earliest was dated three months ago.

Daniel tapped it.

Claire lunged for his phone.

He moved back.

The video began to play.

And on the screen, Noah was standing in the same place beside the island.

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But this time, Daniel heard Claire say his name.

"Your father already chose me over you."