Chapter 4 - Rebecca's Empty Room
Emily was gone by the time Daniel and Richard reached the house.
Richard found her phone on the kitchen counter.
Her bedroom was untouched.
Daniel stared at the phone.
“She wouldn't leave without this.”
Richard looked frightened.
“Maybe she did.”
“No.”
Daniel had known Emily his entire life.
She carried her phone everywhere.
“She left because someone told her to.”
Richard turned.
“Who?”
Daniel looked at him.
“That's what we need to find out.”
They searched the house.
No Emily.
No Rebecca.
Then Daniel noticed something strange.
A framed photograph had been removed from the hallway.
He remembered it clearly.
It showed the entire family at a lake house seven years earlier.
Richard.
Rebecca.
Emily.
Daniel.
And another man.
Daniel stepped closer to the empty space.
“Who was standing here?”
Richard went silent.
Daniel looked at him.
“Dad.”
Richard finally answered.
“Your uncle James.”
Daniel frowned.
“I thought he died.”
“He did.”
“When?”
“Six years ago.”
Daniel looked back at the wall.
“Then why would Rebecca take the photograph?”
Richard didn't respond.
They found a hidden compartment behind the frame.
Inside was a small key.
Daniel picked it up.
A number had been engraved on it.
417.
Richard stared at it.
“I know that number.”
“Where?”
“My old office.”
Daniel looked at him.
“The office you sold?”
Richard nodded.
“But the building still exists.”
Daniel turned the key over.
There was a tiny logo engraved beneath the number.
A company logo.
Daniel recognized it.
It belonged to a corporation that had once partnered with Richard.
A corporation that had gone bankrupt.
A corporation whose former director was James.
Daniel felt a chill.
“Why would Rebecca have this?”
Richard whispered.
“Because she was never just helping with the family business.”
Daniel looked at him.
“What was she doing?”
Richard hesitated.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
Richard answered.
No one spoke.
Then a distorted voice said one sentence.
“Stop looking for Rebecca.”
The call ended.
Daniel stared at his father.
“Who was that?”
Richard's hands were trembling.
“I don't know.”
Daniel looked toward the window.
Across the street, a black SUV was parked.
May you like
Someone was sitting inside.
Watching the house.
