Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
The camera's signal led nowhere.
It transmitted through an encrypted mobile connection.
Someone had been watching the Collins attic.
Maybe for months.
Maybe years.
Heather felt violated in ways she could not articulate.
The house was no longer a house.
It was evidence.
Police searched every room.
They found four more cameras.
One in Eric's office.
One above the kitchen.
One facing the driveway.
One inside Olivia's bedroom smoke detector.
When Heather saw that one removed, she had to walk outside.
She threw up in the bushes.
Eric stood behind her.
"I'm sorry."
She wiped her mouth.
"For what?"
"For bringing this into our lives."
Heather turned.
"You didn't create this."
"My family did."
"Your father tried to expose it."
"He also sent Ryan to that house."
"You don't know why."
"I know enough."
Heather looked through the window at Olivia playing cards with Avery.
"Then find out the rest."
By evening, police finally located Melissa.
She had not returned to her apartment.
Her SUV was found behind a grocery store.
A rideshare camera placed her forty miles away.
She was arrested at a motel before midnight.
The official charge involved unlawful imprisonment of Olivia and child endangerment.
More charges were expected.
Melissa requested a lawyer.
Then she requested one person.
Heather.
Detective Price refused.
Melissa insisted.
"She says she will explain Margaret's sewing box only to you."
Eric immediately said no.
Heather said yes.
They argued for twelve minutes.
Heather won.
The interview room was cold.
Melissa sat in orange jail clothing.
Without makeup and jewelry, she looked smaller.
Not weaker.
Just stripped of presentation.
Heather sat across from her.
"You locked my daughter in a room."
Melissa leaned back.
"And now everyone finally pays attention."
Heather stared at her.
"Don't pretend you did it to help us."
"I didn't."
"Good."
Melissa smiled faintly.
"Still sharp."
"Where's the sewing box?"
"Safe."
"Where?"
"You think I'm going to give you the only thing keeping me alive?"
Heather said nothing.
Melissa studied her.
"You hate me."
"Yes."
"Good. Hate is clearer than love."
Heather resisted the urge to leave.
"What did Margaret give me?"
"A map."
"What map?"
"Not paper."
Heather frowned.
Melissa tapped her own temple.
"Memory."
"I don't understand."
"Margaret knew anyone carrying documents would be searched."
"What did she do?"
"She hid information inside ordinary things."
"The sewing box?"
"Partly."
"What's inside?"
Melissa smiled.
"If I tell you, I'm dead."
"You're already in jail."
"Jail isn't protection."
Heather's skin prickled.
"From who?"
Melissa's smile disappeared.
"People who made Victor Hale look like a middle manager."
Heather remembered the green house.
"Who runs CROWN now?"
Melissa looked toward the mirrored glass.
"You think they don't know we're talking?"
Detective Price watched from the other side.
Heather leaned forward.
"Then why ask for me?"
"Because Margaret made a mistake."
"What mistake?"
"She trusted your husband."
Heather clenched her jaw.
"We've already done this."
"No. Someone texted you a half-truth."
Melissa's eyes narrowed.
"Margaret did come to warn you."
"About Eric?"
"About what Eric would become if CROWN activated him."
Heather stared at her.
"Activated?"
Melissa nodded.
"Your husband was never sent to the green house."
"I know."
"Exactly."
Heather frowned.
Melissa whispered, "Because he didn't need to be."
Silence.
"What does that mean?"
Melissa leaned closer.
"Eric was the protected one."
Heather shook her head.
"Protected from what?"
"From knowing what his family paid for him."
Heather's heartbeat accelerated.
"What did they pay?"
Melissa smiled sadly.
"Ryan."
Heather froze.
Melissa continued.
"Thomas had two sons. Victor only required one."
"Required one for what?"
"A guarantee."
Heather's stomach twisted.
"You're lying."
"Ask Eric why every opportunity in his life opened at the right time."
"Stop."
"College recommendation. First internship. Archer job. Promotions."
"Stop."
"Victor Hale didn't punish Eric."
Melissa whispered the final words.
"He invested in him."
Heather stood.
"You locked my daughter in a room. You watched her sleep. Whatever story you tell yourself, you are not the victim here."
Melissa's expression hardened.
"I know exactly what I am."
"Then tell me where the box is."
"No."
Heather turned to leave.
Melissa spoke behind her.
"Olivia wasn't locked up because she saw the phones."
Heather stopped.
Melissa continued.
"That was the excuse."
Heather slowly turned.
"Why did you lock her in?"
"Because someone ordered me to."
"Who?"
Melissa looked directly into the mirrored glass.
May you like
Then whispered, "Ask the detective why he was at the green house in 1998."
On the other side of the glass, Samuel Price went completely still.
