Chapter 4 - The Key Patricia Said Did Not Exist
Claire stared at the key.
“That room doesn’t lock from the outside.”
Robert looked down.
Patricia answered for him.
“It was changed.”
“When?”
“No one remembers every repair.”
David finally spoke.
“Last month.”
Patricia turned toward him.
His face filled with shame.
“Dad installed it after Madison found the old jewelry boxes.”
Claire looked from David to Robert.
“You put an exterior lock on a child’s room?”
“It is a guest room,” Robert said.
“You locked Lily inside.”
“I kept people from interrupting her nap.”
“Then why is she injured?”
He had no answer.
The officer took the key and placed it in an evidence bag.
Then he climbed the stairs.
A second officer entered through the open front door.
The first instructed everyone to remain downstairs.
Patricia moved toward Madison.
Claire blocked her.
“Don’t touch either child.”
Patricia’s expression hardened.
“You do not tell me what to do in my own home.”
Claire looked toward the stretcher.
“My daughter was hurt in your home.”
Madison began crying.
David knelt beside her.
“It’s okay.”
But his voice lacked conviction.
The officer reached the closed guest-room door.
He used Robert’s key.
The lock turned.
The door opened several inches.
He stopped.
His posture changed.
“What is it?” Claire asked.
He did not answer immediately.
Then he spoke into his radio.
“Send the crime-scene unit upstairs.”
Robert grabbed the banister.
Patricia whispered, “There is no need for that.”
The officer looked down at them.
“There is a camera inside the room.”
Every face turned toward Robert.
Claire felt the floor shift beneath her.
“A camera?”
Robert released the banister.
“It was for security.”
The officer continued.
“It is pointed directly at the bed.”
David stood slowly.
“Dad, what did you do?”
Robert’s confidence disappeared.
“It wasn’t recording.”
May you like
The officer looked back inside.
A red indicator light was still blinking.
