Chapter 3 - the locked pantry)
Emily said the first thing that came to mind.
A surprise for Daniel.
Margaret stepped into the room.
What kind of surprise.
Sophie hugged Bunny.
A secret.
Margaret looked at her granddaughter.
Emily felt immediate dread.
She stood.
Sophie is tired. I was about to put her to bed.
Margaret did not move.
She looked at Bunny again.
That rabbit is filthy.
Sophie squeezed it tighter.
No.
It should be washed.
No.
Margaret reached for it.
Emily stepped between them.
She can keep it tonight.
Margaret looked at Emily.
Their eyes met.
Something changed.
Margaret knew.
Maybe not exactly what Emily had hidden.
But she knew something had happened in Erics office.
Emily was suddenly certain Eric had called her.
Margaret smiled without warmth.
Of course.
The next morning, Daniels business trip entered its final three days.
Emily called him.
She almost told him everything.
Then Daniel mentioned he was about to enter an important client meeting in Denver.
He sounded exhausted.
Emily made a decision she would later regret.
She told herself the evidence could wait seventy two hours.
She would keep Sophie close.
She would keep the memory card hidden.
She would tell Daniel when he returned.
After breakfast, Margaret offered to take Sophie to the park.
Emily refused.
Margaret became irritated.
You are acting strange.
I am tired.
Margaret watched her carefully.
At noon, Emily discovered her laptop was missing.
She searched the bedroom.
The office.
The living room.
Then she found Margaret in the kitchen.
Have you seen my laptop.
Margaret continued slicing an apple.
No.
Emily stared at her.
I left it on my desk.
Perhaps you misplaced it.
Where is it.
Margaret set the knife down.
I do not like your tone.
Emily stepped closer.
And I do not like people taking my things.
Sophie sat at the kitchen table coloring.
She looked up nervously.
Margaret glanced at her.
We should not argue in front of the child.
Then give me my computer.
Margaret leaned closer.
What did you take from Erics office.
Emily felt a chill.
Nothing.
Margaret smiled.
Poor answer.
Emily looked toward Sophie.
She lowered her voice.
Leave.
This is my sons house.
It is my home.
A home my family paid for.
Emily took out her phone.
I am calling Daniel.
Margaret reached across the counter and snatched it.
Emily stared at her.
Give that back.
Margaret stepped away.
You are upset.
Give me my phone.
You need rest.
Emily moved toward her.
Margaret raised the phone.
If you scream in front of Sophie, I will call someone who can evaluate whether you are fit to care for her.
Emily stopped.
Margaret smiled.
That is better.
You cannot do this.
I am trying to help.
Emily looked at the door.
She could take Sophie and leave.
Margaret seemed to read her thought.
Your car keys are in the drawer.
Emily opened it.
Empty.
Margaret picked up her tea.
You should lie down.
Emily stared at her.
Where are my keys.
Safe.
Emily turned toward the front door.
Margaret said.
Eric is outside.
Emily stopped.
Through the window she saw a black sedan parked across the street.
Eric sat behind the wheel.
He lifted one hand.
Not waving.
Just showing her that he was there.
Emily felt the situation change from controlling to dangerous.
She went upstairs with Sophie and locked the bedroom door.
She searched for a second phone.
Nothing.
The house landline had been disconnected years earlier.
She checked the window.
The drop was too high for Sophie.
She opened Daniels tablet, hoping it had messaging enabled.
The battery was dead.
At three in the afternoon, Margaret knocked.
Emily.
No answer.
Sophie needs lunch.
We have food.
Emily had brought crackers and bottled water upstairs.
Not much.
But enough.
Margaret knocked again.
You are making this worse.
Emily whispered to Sophie.
Stay here.
She opened the door.
Margaret stood alone.
Where is Eric.
Gone.
Emily did not believe her.
Margaret looked at Bunny sitting on the bed.
You took something.
No.
What did you put inside that toy.
Nothing.
Margaret pushed the door.
Emily blocked it.
Do not touch my daughter.
Margaret stared at her.
Then she walked away.
That evening, Margaret cooked dinner.
She acted normal.
Too normal.
Emily and Sophie sat at the table.
Margaret served soup.
Sophie barely touched hers.
Emily noticed a strange bitter smell near the mop bucket beside the pantry.
She looked at Margaret.
Why is that bucket there.
I cleaned.
With what.
Cleaning solution.
Emily stood.
Margaret rolled her eyes.
Sit down.
Emily grabbed Sophies bowl.
We are not eating this.
Margaret slammed her palm against the table.
Sophie jumped.
Emily took her daughters hand.
Enough.
They walked toward the pantry.
Emily planned to gather packaged food.
Margaret stepped in front of them.
You are not taking anything until you tell me where the card is.
Emily froze.
Sophie looked up.
Card.
Margarets eyes flicked toward her.
Emily immediately pulled Sophie behind her.
There is no card.
Margaret took the pantry key from her pocket.
She closed the pantry door.
Then locked the heavy external padlock Eric had installed weeks earlier, supposedly because of a mouse problem.
Emily stared.
You are locking food away from a six year old.
Margaret folded her arms.
You have food on the table.
Food Emily no longer trusted.
Margaret said quietly.
Give me what you took, and everything goes back to normal.
Emily looked at the locked pantry.
Then at the mop bucket.
Then at the rubber gloves Margaret had left near the sink.
A faint dark residue marked the fingertips.
The same dark residue that would later be found on Sophies sleeve.
Emily suddenly understood.
You know exactly what Eric has been moving through those warehouses.
Margarets face changed.
Only for a second.
But it was enough.
Emily whispered.
Oh my God.
Margaret stepped closer.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
Emily backed away.
Sophie clutched Bunny.
May you like
Margaret looked at the doll.
And this time, she did not hide it.
