Chapter 3 - Laura’s Room Was Not Empty
Richard took Ethan upstairs.
Denise followed.
Rebecca tried to stop them.
Richard turned at the staircase.
“Stay downstairs.”
She laughed nervously.
“You’re seriously believing a five-year-old?”
“I’m believing that he’s afraid of you.”
That silenced her.
Laura’s room had remained almost untouched since her death.
Richard rarely entered.
He told himself he was preserving memories for Ethan.
In truth, he could not handle being there.
The door was unlocked.
That was wrong.
Richard kept the key in his study.
He pushed it open.
The room smelled faintly of Laura’s perfume.
Then he saw the desk.
Drawers open.
Papers disturbed.
A framed photograph lying facedown.
Denise whispered, “Someone searched this room.”
Ethan pointed toward the closet.
“The man was there.”
Richard crouched.
“What man?”
“I don’t know.”
“What did he look like?”
“Gray hair.”
Richard thought of everyone Rebecca knew.
Nothing came immediately.
Then Ethan said, “He called her Becky.”
Rebecca hated that nickname.
Only people who knew her years ago used it.
Richard’s stomach tightened.
“Where’s your camera?”
Ethan looked toward the bed.
“I hid the card.”
Richard stared.
“The memory card?”
Ethan nodded.
Rebecca had found the camera.
But Ethan had removed the card first.
Denise smiled faintly.
“Smart boy.”
Ethan reached into Laura’s old jewelry box.
He removed a tiny SD card wrapped in tissue.
Richard’s hands shook as he took it.
Then a voice came from the doorway.
“You don’t want to watch that.”
Rebecca.
Richard turned.
She stood perfectly still.
May you like
No anger now.
Only fear.
