Chapter 2 - The Woman At The Top Of The Stairs
Walter did not run upstairs.
He called 911 first.
That decision later mattered more than anything dramatic he might have done.
Lily needed medical care.
Mason needed safety.
And Walter no longer trusted either adult in the house.
He gave the address, explained that one child had a high fever and another had been restrained, then kept himself between Brian and the children.
The upstairs floor creaked again.
“Claire?” Walter called.
Nothing.
Brian looked toward the staircase.
Walter noticed.
“You knew she was here?”
Brian’s answer came too quickly.
“I knew she might be.”
“What does that mean?”
Before Brian could answer, Claire appeared at the top of the stairs.
Thirty-seven years old.
Barefoot.
Gray sweater.
Hair pulled back badly.
She was carrying a laptop under one arm and a canvas document bag in the other.
Mason recoiled behind Walter.
That reaction said more than anyone’s words.
Claire stopped.
Her eyes went immediately to the open closet.
Then to Mason.
Then to Walter.
“I can explain.”
Walter’s voice shook.
“You tied your son?”
Claire closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
Brian laughed bitterly.
“There. Happy?”
Walter turned on him.
“Shut up.”
Claire came down three steps.
Walter raised one hand.
“Stay there.”
She stopped.
Sirens sounded faintly in the distance.
Claire’s face changed.
“You called someone?”
“There are two children in this hallway who needed adults an hour ago.”
“I was trying to fix something.”
Walter looked at the bag.
“What?”
Claire held it tighter.
Brian suddenly stepped away from the wall.
“Don’t let her leave with that.”
Walter turned.
“What’s in it?”
Claire’s voice broke.
“Proof.”
Brian went still.
Walter looked between them.
“Proof of what?”
Claire stared at her husband.
Brian stared back.
Neither answered.
That was when Walter understood the children were not the only reason this family had exploded tonight.
Mason had seen something.
Claire had tried to silence him.
May you like
Brian knew enough not to be surprised.
And whatever was inside that canvas bag frightened both parents more than the sirens approaching their house.
