THE NIGHT WE BURIED OUR SECRETS BEHIND THE HUMMING AIR CONDITIONER UNIT

The emergency vehicles lining the suburban street cast a chaotic strobe of red and blue light across the back fence, turning the dark pine trees into shifting silhouettes of deep green and shadow. The federal investigator had gone back to coordinate the search teams sweeping the perimeter, leaving Clara, Leo, and Elena standing near the humming air conditioning unit in the chilly night air.

“We need to check the root cellar,” Clara said suddenly, breaking the tense silence. She gripped the edge of her dark green cardigan, her voice resolute. “If Marcus is still alive and running this entire operation from the shadows, he didn’t just leave a will in that trash bag. He left a message.”

Leo nodded in agreement, his expression grim. “He’s trying to draw us out. He knows the feds are combing through the house, so he’s using the property as leverage.”