THE LOCKED OFFICE

Corinne did not force her way inside.

That was exactly what Ross wanted.

Instead, she returned to her car and called the police for a welfare check. She calmly explained the mark on Casey’s wrist and requested that an officer document the situation.

Ross opened the door when the patrol car arrived, wearing the expression of a concerned husband.

“My wife came home unexpectedly,” he told Officer Daniel Ruiz. “She has been under stress. We’re worried she may be experiencing difficulties after deployment.”

Corinne remained beside the porch railing.

“I requested the welfare check,” she said. “Please examine my daughter’s wrist and document the locked room containing my personal records.”

Ross tried to interrupt.

Officer Ruiz raised a hand. “Sir, let her finish.”

Casey was brought into the hallway. When asked privately how she had received the mark, she looked at Gwendolyn and said she did not remember.

The answer felt rehearsed.

The officer photographed the wrist and recorded everyone’s statements. He could not remove Casey without clearer evidence of immediate danger, but his report created an official record.

Corinne spent the night at Leah’s apartment.

There, she examined the silver key Casey had hidden inside the teddy bear.

It was not a house key.

It belonged to a small fireproof document box Corinne kept inside her office closet.

“How would Casey get this?” Leah asked.

“She knows where I keep it,” Corinne said. “I showed her once. I told her it held important family papers.”

Leah studied her face. “Why would she hide it in your gift?”

“Because she wanted me to find it without Ross knowing.”

Corinne replayed her phone recording.

In the background, immediately after she mentioned the locked office, Gwendolyn whispered something.

Leah increased the volume.

“Call the lawyer. She noticed.”