Chapter 6 - Lucy Remembered the Basement
Lucy came home on December 27.
She walked carefully.
The burns would heal.
The doctor expected no permanent damage.
Sarah should have felt relieved.
Instead, she slept on the floor outside Lucy's bedroom.
Mark didn't tell her she was overreacting.
He slept there too.
At three in the morning, Lucy opened her door.
"Why are you guys on the floor?"
Sarah sat up.
"Couldn't sleep."
Lucy looked at both of them.
"You think Grandpa's coming here?"
"No," Mark said quickly.
Lucy frowned.
"He's been here when you were sleeping before."
Sarah's blood turned cold.
"When?"
Lucy seemed confused by the question.
"A bunch of times."
Mark stood.
"What do you mean?"
"Grandpa used to come in through the garage."
"Our old door code," Sarah whispered.
They had changed the locks.
They had forgotten the keypad connecting the garage.
Walter had known the code for years.
Lucy sat on the edge of the bed.
"Sometimes he brought stuff."
"What stuff?" Sarah asked.
"Candy. Presents."
Mark crouched.
"Did he ever ask you not to tell us?"
Lucy nodded.
Sarah fought to keep her face calm.
"What else did he do?"
"He asked questions."
"What questions?"
Lucy looked down.
"About Mom."
Sarah reached for her daughter's hand.
"It's okay."
"He'd ask if you were mad. Or if you forgot dinner. Or if you ever left me alone."
The same questions.
Over and over.
"Lucy," Sarah said carefully, "did Grandpa ever take you somewhere without telling us?"
Lucy nodded.
Mark inhaled sharply.
"Where?"
"His basement."
Walter's basement had always been locked.
He told everyone it contained tax records and tools.
"What happened there?" Sarah asked.
Lucy thought.
"He showed me videos."
"What videos?"
"Of Mom."
Sarah froze.
"What kind of videos?"
"You yelling."
Mark looked at Sarah.
Sarah understood immediately.
Every parent had moments they regretted.
Telling Lucy to get into the car.
Arguing over homework.
Raising her voice after Lucy nearly ran into the street.
But how had Walter recorded them?
Lucy continued.
"Grandpa said I should remember how you act."
"Why?"
"He said someday a judge might ask."
Mark turned white.
Sarah's hands went numb.
Walter had not merely been gathering evidence.
May you like
He had been preparing Lucy.
Training her.
