Chapter 5 - Grandpa’s Old Camera
Natalie’s father, Thomas Grant, had loved cameras.
He filmed birthdays, school plays, and ordinary Sunday breakfasts.
After his cancer diagnosis, he began recording messages for Eli.
Thomas died when Eli was four.
Linda kept most of his belongings.
She told Natalie the old cameras had been donated.
Eli said otherwise.
During his last visit, he found a small camera inside a box in Linda’s garage.
It still contained a memory card.
He pressed play.
The final video showed Thomas sitting in his study.
He looked weak but mentally clear.
He spoke directly to the camera.
“If Natalie is watching this, Linda did not give you the trust papers.”
Before Thomas could say more, Linda entered the room.
The video ended.
Eli did not understand the message.
But he recognized his mother’s name.
He removed the memory card and hid it inside his toy dinosaur.
Rachel saw him with the camera.
She asked what he had watched.
Eli refused to tell her.
Later, the dinosaur disappeared from Natalie’s apartment.
Linda and Rachel found the bank receipt inside it.
But the memory card was not there.
Eli had moved it.
Detective Harris leaned closer.
“Where did you put it?”
Eli looked toward Linda.
Fear tightened his face.
“She said monsters come when kids tell secrets.”
Linda’s hand began shaking.
May you like
Natalie stepped between her and the bed.
“What did you do to my son?”
