Chapter 4 - The Silent Witness
The local police arrived within twenty minutes, flashing blue lights painting the grand white pillars of Ashford Manor in eerie shades of sapphire.
Officers swarmed the servants' quarters, bagging the open floor latch and hauling Maria away in handcuffs while she screamed her innocence.
Holland sat propped up against silk pillows in the master bedroom suite, a team of private physicians checking his vital signs.
He refused to speak a single word to the detectives who gently knelt beside his bed with a notepad.
“Holland, buddy, you can tell us anything,” Detective Miller said, flashing a warm, encouraging smile.
“Who locked you in that room?”
Holland kept his gaze locked on the embroidered coverlet, his small fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned stark white.
“Nobody,” Holland whispered stubbornly.
“I hid there myself.”
The detective exchanged a skeptical glance with the lead doctor, writing a brief note on his pad before standing up.
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“Severe trauma often causes children to block out their abusers,” the doctor murmured quietly to Damian in the hallway.
“Give him time, Mr. Ashford. The truth will come out when he feels safe.”
