Chapter 4
The federal team moved with ruthless efficiency, fan-scanning the grand mansion from the cellar to the third-floor master suite.
Martha guided investigator Hayes down a narrow, hidden corridor behind the grand staircase that led to the original historic foundation.
"The old estate owners built a series of fallout shelters during the Cold War, but Mr. Vance sealed them off years ago," Martha explained.
Sarah drew her service weapon, the matte black steel catching the dim light of the emergency flashlight as she approached a heavy iron door.
"Stand back, Martha," Sarah ordered, signaling one of the tactical agents to bring forward the thermal cutting torch.
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The air grew heavy and freezing cold as the torch began to spit brilliant white sparks against the thick steel hinges.
Inside the hidden room behind that door lay the final, undeniable truth of what happened to Mia's mother three years ago.
