Chapter 8 - the father came back early
Daniel did not shout Lily’s name.
Not immediately.
He scanned the garden, the tables, the fountain and the patio doors.
The replacement rabbit lay beneath Lily’s chair.
Claire saw it and froze.
“She was just here.”
“When?”
“Seconds ago.”
“Who was near her?”
Claire looked toward the balloon arch.
“Your cousin Nora. Two children. A waiter.”
“Where is Tessa?”
They moved in opposite directions.
Daniel entered the house through the patio doors. The main hallway was empty, but he heard footsteps above him.
“Tessa?”
No answer.
He checked the downstairs bathroom, library and dining room.
Empty.
His phone rang.
Nathan.
“The police entered your house. The safe was open.”
“The rabbit?”
“Gone.”
Daniel stopped walking.
“They have the real key.”
“Not necessarily. Did you move it?”
Daniel had placed the key inside a small waterproof pouch beneath the lining of his shoe before leaving home.
“Yes.”
“Good. Daniel, listen carefully. The investigator found a wireless camera in your bedroom.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“There may be more.”
“Find Lily first. Do not confront anyone alone.”
Daniel ended the call.
From the rear of the house came a faint cry.
He followed it through the service hallway and reached a narrow door leading to the pool house.
Locked.
“Lily?”
The crying stopped.
Then a small voice answered.
“Daddy?”
Daniel forced himself to remain calm.
“I am right here.”
“The lights are gone.”
“I know. Step away from the door.”
“I cannot find Mr. Buttons.”
“We will find him.”
“She said you left me.”
“Who said that?”
No answer.
Daniel tried the handle again.
The lock required a key from the outside.
A decorative metal box hung near the frame. Inside were pool controls and a spare key hook.
The hook was empty.
Daniel grabbed a brass fire extinguisher from the wall. He struck the lock once, hard enough to crack the old frame.
The door opened.
Lily stood in the dark room near a stack of folded chairs. Tears covered her face. One shoe was missing. Her pink cardigan was torn at the sleeve, and a red mark circled her wrist.
Daniel dropped the extinguisher and lifted her into his arms.
She clung to him with desperate strength.
“I thought you left.”
“I would never leave you.”
“Tessa said you were mad.”
“I am not mad at you.”
“She took the bunny.”
“It was not the real Mr. Buttons.”
Lily pulled back enough to look at him.
“You knew?”
“I knew someone might try to take him.”
“Grandma wants the key.”
Daniel’s heart pounded.
“What did Grandma say?”
Lily looked toward the doorway.
“She said Tessa had to make you scary.”
Daniel heard movement behind him.
Arthur Vale stood at the far end of the service hallway.
For one second, they stared at each other.
Then Vale turned and disappeared around the corner.
Daniel carried Lily after him, but by the time he reached the main hallway, Vale was gone.
A housekeeper stood near the staircase.
“Where did the man in the gray suit go?” Daniel asked.
She pointed toward the backyard.
Daniel stepped outside.
The cheerful music still played.
The guests were laughing because they had not yet seen Lily’s face.
Then the first person noticed Daniel.
The music stopped.
Claire rushed forward.
Daniel’s eyes found Tessa beside the balloon arch.
Everything that followed happened exactly as Margaret had planned.
Almost.
Tessa raised her wine glass.
“Relax. It was just a joke.”
Margaret blocked the gate.
“Don’t ruin the party over that brat.”
Daniel felt rage rising through him, hot and immediate.
Across the patio, cousin Henry lifted his camera.
Three phones were aimed at Daniel.
They were waiting for him to lose control.
Daniel looked at his terrified daughter.
Then he understood the trap completely.
His voice became quiet.
“None of you will ever see her again.”
Lily pointed toward Margaret.
“Daddy… Tessa wasn’t alone. Grandma told her to…”
Margaret’s glass fell.
Arthur Vale stepped backward through the patio doors.
Daniel saw him reach inside his gray jacket.
He expected a phone.
Instead, Vale removed a small black device and pressed a button.
May you like
A sharp electronic pop sounded beneath the balloon arch.
The hidden camera recording the party went dark.
