Chapter 1 - THE SUITCASE WAS MOVINGThe silver suitcase moved before I heard Lily’s voice.
I had just entered our Connecticut mansion through the front doors.
A dark coat covered my travel clothes.
My leather overnight bag hung from one hand.
I was supposed to remain in Boston until the following evening, but the meeting ended early.
I had not called Vivian.
I wanted to surprise my family.
The mansion was unusually quiet.
No music.
No television.
No footsteps from the second floor.
“Lily?”
My voice traveled toward the grand staircase.
No answer.
I placed my keys on the entrance table.
That was when I noticed the suitcase.
Large.
Silver.
Hard-shell.
It stood on the polished hardwood floor near the bottom of the stairs.
A small lavender sleeve was caught between the lid and the metal frame.
At first, I thought it was fabric from a packing organizer.
Then the suitcase moved.
Not far.
Only several inches.
The bottom scraped across the floor.
I froze.
The movement stopped.
My mind rejected what I had seen.
Suitcases did not move by themselves.
I took one step forward.
The case rocked again.
A soft impact came from inside.
“Hello?”
Silence.
I dropped my overnight bag.
The sound echoed through the entrance hall.
Something struck the inside of the suitcase twice.
Then came a voice.
Weak.
Frightened.
“Dad?”
My blood turned cold.
“Lily?”
“Please open it.”
I rushed toward the case and dropped to my knees.
The silver shell was locked.
One latch required a key.
The other used a three-number combination.
I gripped the handle.
“Lily, I’m here.”
“Open it before she comes back.”
“Who?”
No answer.
I forced myself to breathe.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Can you breathe?”
“Yes.”
“Keep talking to me.”
“I’m scared.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m getting you out.”
The key was not in the lock.
I tried Lily’s birthday.
Nothing.
Our wedding anniversary.
Nothing.
Vivian’s birthday.
The first latch released.
The second remained locked.
My hands began shaking.
“Dad?”
“I’m here.”
“Please hurry.”
I looked toward the staircase.
May you like
A door closed somewhere above me.
Someone else was inside the mansion.
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