Chapter 6 - The Man Beneath the House)
Claire called Detective Ruiz from the hallway.
Ruiz answered on the second ring.
"Tell me you're not in the basement."
"I'm upstairs."
"Good."
"I just received a call from someone I believe is Paul Bennett. He said he's under Margaret's room."
Ruiz's tone changed immediately.
"Leave the house."
"Margaret can't move quickly."
"Then get her somewhere safe and do not announce why."
"David and Mark aren't here."
"That can change."
Claire returned to the bedroom.
Margaret was attempting to stand.
"We're going downstairs."
"No."
"Claire."
"No. We're going outside."
"My son is under this floor."
"And if somebody put him there, that somebody may return."
Margaret stared at her.
That argument worked.
Claire helped her into a wheelchair kept near the landing.
They had nearly reached the front door when David's truck pulled into the driveway.
Margaret whispered, "Too late."
David entered carrying groceries.
He saw Margaret in the wheelchair.
"Where are you going?"
"Fresh air," Claire said.
"It's cold."
"It's seventy-three degrees."
David put the bags down.
"Mom needs rest."
Margaret looked at him.
"Where is Paul?"
The groceries slipped from David's hands.
One orange rolled across the floor.
No one moved.
David recovered quickly.
"Who?"
Margaret's voice strengthened.
"Paul."
"Mom, Paul's gone."
"Where?"
"You know where."
"No. I know what you told me."
David looked at Claire.
"What have you been saying to her?"
"Nothing she didn't already know."
His expression darkened.
"You're upsetting a dying woman."
Margaret suddenly laughed.
The sound was dry and fierce.
"Interesting how useful my dying becomes whenever you want me quiet."
David stepped toward her.
"Mom."
"You told the court clerk I couldn't understand my own finances."
"Because you can't."
"You told the bank I was confused."
"You are."
"You forged my name."
David's face hardened.
Claire heard a vehicle outside.
Ruiz.
She hoped.
David heard it too.
He moved toward the window.
Margaret grabbed Claire's wrist.
"Red cord."
"What?"
"The bag."
"It's gone."
"No."
Margaret pointed toward the staircase.
"The other one."
Claire followed her gaze.
Beneath the stairs sat a black garbage bag.
Tied with red cord.
She hadn't seen it when she arrived.
David turned from the window.
"Don't."
Claire moved.
David crossed the foyer faster.
He caught her shoulder.
She twisted free.
"Don't touch me."
Margaret shouted, "Claire, open it."
David stepped between them.
"That's garbage."
"Then you won't mind."
A fist hit the front door.
"County Sheriff's Office."
David froze.
Claire untied the red cord.
The bag opened.
Old clothing spilled out.
A hospital envelope fell onto the floor.
So did a brass key.
Margaret gasped.
David stared at it.
The front door opened.
Detective Ruiz entered with Deputy Harris.
"Everyone stay where you are."
David immediately pointed at Claire.
"She broke into private property."
Ruiz ignored him.
Claire picked up the envelope.
Inside were photocopies of medical records dated October 14, 1999.
Arthur Bennett.
Emergency admission.
Medication toxicity suspected.
Possible digoxin overdose.
Claire looked at Margaret.
"Did Arthur take digoxin?"
"Yes."
Ruiz took the papers with gloved hands.
David said, "Those are ancient copies. They prove nothing."
Claire saw another line.
Patient repeatedly states medication bottle changed by eldest son.
The room went silent.
Ruiz looked at David.
"Eldest son?"
David laughed.
"He was delirious."
Margaret's eyes filled with horror.
"You told me he never woke up."
"Mom."
"You said he was unconscious from the ambulance until he died."
"He basically was."
Margaret shook her head.
"No."
David stepped toward her.
Ruiz blocked him.
"Stay back."
Another sound came from somewhere inside the house.
A faint thud.
Harris looked toward the stairs.
"What was that?"
No one answered.
Then three knocks came from beneath the first floor.
Ruiz drew her weapon.
"Where is the basement?"
David said nothing.
Mark's voice came from the doorway behind them.
"There isn't one."
Everyone turned.
Mark stood pale and sweating.
Ruiz stared at him.
"We have county plans showing a basement."
Mark swallowed.
"It's sealed."
"Where's the entrance?"
"I don't know."
Margaret whispered, "Liar."
Mark closed his eyes.
Ruiz stepped closer.
"If someone is trapped under this house, every second matters."
David shouted, "Nobody is trapped anywhere."
A muffled voice rose beneath the floor.
"Help."
Harris moved immediately.
"Entrance. Now."
Mark looked at David.
David stared back.
Claire saw the entire relationship between the brothers in that single glance.
Mark waiting for permission.
David demanding obedience.
Then Mark finally broke.
He pointed toward the kitchen.
"Pantry."
David lunged at him.
Harris slammed David against the wall and restrained him.
"You stupid coward!" David screamed.
Mark stumbled backward.
Ruiz ran toward the kitchen.
Claire remained beside Margaret.
The old woman was crying.
Not from fear anymore.
From recognition.
"He's alive."
Claire squeezed her hand.
"If that's Paul, we're going to find him."
Margaret whispered, "No."
Claire looked at her.
May you like
Margaret stared toward the kitchen.
"That isn't the only person down there."
