Chapter 2 - The Camera Shows What Happened
Daniel replayed the foyer footage once.
Then again.
At 2:17 p.m., Evelyn carried a mop bucket across the floor.
Victoria stepped into frame.
She said something the camera could not clearly capture.
Evelyn stopped.
Victoria pointed toward the floor.
Then she kicked the bucket.
Dirty water spilled across the hardwood.
Evelyn bent to catch it.
Victoria shoved the mop toward her.
A minute later, Evelyn tried to stand and lost her balance.
She fell hard against the base of the staircase.
Victoria did not help.
She stood over her.
Then the recording showed something Daniel had not noticed when he
entered.
Victoria crouched beside Evelyn.
Not to comfort her.
To search her apron pocket.
Daniel looked up from the phone.
“What were you looking for?”
Victoria reached for the device.
“Give me that.”
Daniel stepped back.
“No.”
Anna held Evelyn tighter.
Victoria’s face changed.
Daniel paused the footage.
In Victoria’s hand was a small silver key.
He recognized it.
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It belonged to his late father’s study.
A room Daniel had kept locked for eleven months.
