Chapter 13
The SUV turned down the familiar gravel driveway, crunching slowly to a halt near the front porch. The slate-gray sedan was still parked where Arthur had left it the night before, its shattered passenger window glittering like crushed diamonds under the pale morning sun. Next to the driveway, a local police cruiser with its lights turned off sat idling, Officer Miller leaning against the driver’s door waiting for them.
Arthur turned off the ignition, but he didn't immediately open the door. He looked back at Lily in the rear seat. Claire had brought along a heavy winter jacket to slip over her pink onesie, completely covering the evidence of the previous night's trauma.
"Stay here in the car with Claire for just a few minutes while I talk to the officer," Arthur instructed gently.
"Be careful, Daddy," Lily whispered.
Arthur stepped out into the crisp morning air, his boots crunching on the gravel as he walked over to Officer Miller. The officer, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a sympathetic expression, shook Arthur’s hand firmly.
"Mr. Reynolds? I’m Officer Miller. Your sister briefed me on the situation over the phone," the officer said, his voice low and professional. "We’re ready to go inside whenever you are. Is Mrs. Reynolds still in the house?"
"She was when I left last night," Arthur replied, his jaw tightening. "She didn't have a car, and she wasn't answering reason. She's in a state of severe psychological collapse."
"Understood. We have a medical transport unit on standby down the road just in case," Miller said, resting his hand on his utility belt. "Let's go take a look."
Together, they walked up the wooden steps of the porch. The front door was still unlocked, just as Arthur had left it in his frantic escape. Arthur pushed it open, stepping back into the interior hallway. The console table stood in its usual place, but the face-down photograph had been righted. It was resting neatly in the center of the polished wood, the glass clean and shining, the image of Arthur, Sarah, and Lily smiling on the beach staring out into the empty hallway.
"She's been here," Arthur murmured, a cold chill washing over him.
"Stay behind me, Mr. Reynolds," Officer Miller instructed, unholstering his radio as he stepped cautiously toward the base of the wooden staircase.
May you like
"Sarah?" Miller called out clearly. "This is the police. We need you to come down the stairs where we can see you. Nobody is going to hurt you."
For a long moment, there was absolute silence. Then, a slow, deliberate footstep creaked on the landing above.
