Chapter 5 — The Camera Nobody Remembered
# The Glass of Orange Juice
## Chapter 5 — The Camera Nobody Remembered
That evening, Daniel couldn't stop replaying the scene.
His mother's terrified eyes.
Emma's swollen cheek.
Victoria's inconsistent story.
None of it made sense.
Just after dinner, Daniel walked into the home's security office.
The Brooks Manor surveillance system monitored nearly every hallway and common room.
The monitors were dark.
Daniel frowned.
He called the security manager.
"Why aren't today's recordings available?"
The manager looked confused.
"They should be."
He checked the system logs.
Then his expression changed.
"Sir..."
"The living room camera was manually disabled this afternoon."
Daniel's face hardened.
"What time?"
The manager typed rapidly.
"Exactly twelve minutes before you arrived home."
Daniel felt a chill run through his body.
"Who has permission to disable cameras?"
The manager quietly answered.
"Only three people."
"You."
"Myself."
"And..."
He hesitated.
Daniel finished the sentence.
"Victoria."
The manager nodded.
"There is one more thing."
Daniel looked up.
"Although the main camera was turned off..."
"...the backup hallway camera continued recording."
Daniel slowly leaned forward.
"Show me."
The manager opened the footage.
The hallway camera couldn't see the entire living room...
But it clearly captured the entrance.
The serving tray.
Victoria walking in with the orange juice.
Emma running toward the room seconds later.
And...
Something else.
Just before entering the living room...
Victoria had removed a tiny white packet from her pocket and emptied its contents into the crystal glass.
Daniel stared silently at the screen.
His wife hadn't simply lied.
She had planned everything.
And now...
He needed to find out exactly what had been inside that glass.
