Chapter 10 - The Room Beneath the Courthouse
Laura did not sleep.
At 5:30 a.m., she left the house.
Emily stayed with a neighbor.
Laura drove to the old courthouse.
The building had been closed for years.
Daniel's key opened a side entrance.
Inside, dust covered everything.
She followed a narrow hallway downstairs.
At the end was a steel door.
The key turned.
The door opened.
A small room waited inside.
There were filing cabinets.
Old photographs.
A desk.
And dozens of boxes.
Laura opened the first.
Property records.
The second contained photographs.
The third contained recordings.
She found a label.
Bennett Family.
Her father's name.
She inserted the first recording.
Her father appeared again.
“This room was created because I knew someone would eventually try to erase what happened.”
Laura listened.
“I trusted Margaret.”
Laura stopped.
Her mother's name.
“I trusted Daniel.”
Another pause.
“And I trusted Elliot.”
Laura's chest tightened.
“I was wrong about all three.”
The recording continued.
“Each of them knows part of the truth.”
Laura leaned closer.
“But none of them knows everything.”
A second recording began automatically.
Her father's voice sounded more urgent.
“The house was never the real target.”
Laura frowned.
“Then what is?”
The recording stopped.
A click came from behind her.
Laura turned.
Margaret stood in the doorway.
Her clothes were dirty.
Her face was exhausted.
“Mom?”
Margaret stepped inside.
“Don't touch anything.”
Laura stared at her.
“You said not to trust Daniel.”
“I know.”
“You said you were protecting me.”
“I am.”
“You lied to me for years.”
Margaret nodded.
“I did.”
“Why?”
Margaret looked at the boxes.
“Because your father made a mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“He believed the danger ended when he died.”
Laura stepped closer.
“Who took you?”
Margaret looked toward the hallway.
“I wasn't taken.”
Laura froze.
“What?”
“I left because I wanted them to think I had been taken.”
“Who?”
Margaret looked directly at her daughter.
“The person who has been following you.”
Laura felt cold.
“Who is it?”
Margaret opened her mouth.
Then the lights went out.
A sound echoed from the hallway.
Someone was coming.
May you like
Margaret grabbed Laura's hand.
“Run.”
