Chapter 7 - Emily Stands Up
Mark saw the phone.
He grabbed Rachel’s wrist, but she pulled away and stepped backward.
“Do not touch me.”
“Give me the phone.”
“No.”
The broad-shouldered man moved toward her.
Then Emily sat up.
“Leave my mom alone.”
Everyone turned.
Her voice trembled, but she stood anyway, the cream blanket falling around her feet.
Mark’s face changed. “Emily, go back to sleep.”
“You lied to me.”
“This is adult business.”
“You said there was a leak.”
Mark took a step toward her.
Rachel moved between them.
Emily looked at the metal case.
“I know why Great-Grandpa hid it.”
Mark stopped.
“What did you say?”
Emily swallowed.
“Grandma told me before she died. She said if anyone ever pulled up my floor, I should remember the story about the green house.”
Rachel stared at her daughter.
Thomas Hale had once owned a green house on Alder Street. Rachel had played there as a child. The address was 614.
Mark’s voice became soft.
“What else did Grandma tell you?”
Emily backed toward the kitchen counter.
“She said the person asking for the code was the person who should never have it.”
The men exchanged a look.
Mark’s patience broke.
“Emily, enough.”
He reached for her.
A sharp knock thundered from the front door.
“Police!”
Mark froze.
The man holding the case turned toward the back hallway.
Rachel shouted, “They’re trying to leave through the yard!”
The back gate camera had already shown the van. Officers entered from both sides.
Within seconds, the kitchen filled with commands, flashlights, and raised hands.
Rachel pulled Emily close.
Mark stared at them as an officer secured his wrists.
May you like
His final expression was not regret.
It was disbelief that Rachel had stopped him.
