Chapter 7
Panic surged through Leo’s veins. The footsteps on the stairs were heavy and deliberate, accompanied by the distinct rustle of fabric that could only belong to Evelyn. Grabbing Buster’s collar, Leo yanked the dog urgently toward the darkest corner of the basement, ducking behind a massive stack of old winter tires and spare furniture. The beam of the flashlight was switched off instantly, plunging them into absolute, suffocating darkness. They held their breath, listening as the cellar door creaked open all the way, letting a vertical shaft of warm hallway light cut across the dusty concrete floor.
Evelyn’s footsteps descended the stairs, slow and rhythmic. The beam of a much brighter, professional-grade flashlight swept across the room, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air just inches from where Leo and Buster crouched. Leo felt the dog’s massive body tense beside him, ready to spring if the light swept an inch further. He buried his face in Buster’s thick neck, praying the dog would remain silent. For what felt like an eternity, Evelyn stood near the filing cabinet, muttering something under her breath before the sound of sliding metal indicated she was checking the contents of the locked drawers.
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Then, the footsteps turned and began moving toward the far wall, directly behind the tire stack. Leo’s heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. But instead of discovering them, Evelyn stopped near a loose section of the stone foundation wall. A metallic click echoed through the basement, followed by the grinding sound of a hidden panel sliding open. A soft, amber glow spilled out from the recessed wall cavity, illuminating Evelyn’s stern face in profile. She reached inside, pulling out a thick manila folder tied with string, muttering angrily about probate courts and signatures that needed forging before the month was out.
The words hung heavily in the air, confirming Leo’s worst suspicions. She wasn't just a cold stepmother; she was systematically erasing his legal claim to his father's estate. After a few tense minutes, the panel slid shut with a heavy thud, the amber glow vanished, and Evelyn’s footsteps retraced their path back up the stairs. The cellar door slammed shut, and the heavy bolt clicked into place from the outside, locking them in the dark. Leo let out a long, shuddering breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Buster licked his cheek gently in the dark, as if telling him the danger had passed for now, but they were now well and truly trapped.
