Chapter 9 - The Locked Room
Walter returned home that evening to find his front door open.
He immediately knew something was wrong.
He entered carefully.
Nothing appeared disturbed.
Except the basement.
The locked cabinet was open.
Walter rushed downstairs.
The envelope was gone.
So was the photograph.
He searched everything.
Nothing.
Then he noticed something on the floor.
A small gold button.
He recognized it.
Vanessa's coat.
Walter picked it up.
He did not accuse her.
Instead, he called Ethan.
“Come over.”
Ethan arrived twenty minutes later.
“What happened?”
“Someone entered the basement.”
“Did they steal anything?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
Walter looked at him.
“The proof.”
Ethan's face tightened.
“What proof?”
Walter finally played the recording.
Margaret's voice filled the room.
Ethan stood frozen.
When the recording ended, he sat down.
“She knew.”
“Yes.”
“And you knew she didn't hate you.”
“I knew she was wrong about me.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because she asked me not to.”
Ethan looked at his father.
“Why?”
“She was afraid.”
“Of Michael?”
Walter shook his head.
“Of someone else.”
“Who?”
Walter looked at the missing envelope.
“I don't know.”
Ethan stared at the gold button.
“Is that Vanessa's?”
“Yes.”
They looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
Then footsteps sounded upstairs.
Both men turned.
Walter grabbed a flashlight.
They climbed the stairs.
The house was empty.
But the front door was open.
Ethan stepped outside.
Across the street, Vanessa stood on her porch.
She was holding a phone.
She looked at them.
Then she went inside.
Ethan followed.
“Vanessa.”
She turned.
“What?”
“Were you in my father's basement?”
“No.”
Walter stepped forward.
“We found your button.”
Vanessa looked at it.
Then laughed nervously.
“I lost that days ago.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
Ethan's expression hardened.
“You're lying.”
She stared at him.
“I am your wife.”
“And he is my father.”
“You always choose him.”
“No.”
Ethan took a breath.
“I am trying to understand what is happening.”
Vanessa's face changed.
“You won't understand.”
“Then explain it.”
She shook her head.
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you, you may never look at me the same way again.”
Silence.
Ethan whispered,
“What did you do?”
Vanessa looked toward Walter.
Then back at Ethan.
“I didn't steal the money.”
Walter's eyes narrowed.
“What money?”
May you like
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“My father did.”
