Chapter 4 - The Second BedDaniel reached the house just after midnight.
Claire—
No.
There was no Claire in this story.
The mistake in his own thoughts startled him.
His mind was breaking under exhaustion.
He had left Emma in the hospital under police protection.
Noah remained nearby with a social worker.
Ghost refused to leave the hospital entrance until Daniel promised he would return.
Detective Ross met Daniel at the front door.
The house looked normal.
That was the worst part.
Family photographs.
Emma’s shoes near the stairs.
Madeline’s coat hanging beside Daniel’s.
“How long has your wife owned this property?” Ross asked.
“Six years. We bought it together.”
“Who renovated the basement?”
Daniel frowned.
“Madeline handled most of it.”
“When?”
“Before we moved in.”
Ross nodded.
“Come downstairs.”
The hidden door was exactly where Noah described.
Behind an oak storage panel.
Daniel had walked past it hundreds of times.
Ross opened it.
Cold air.
White walls.
Two hospital beds.
Monitoring equipment.
Small refrigerator.
Cabinets.
A camera in one corner.
Daniel stared.
“This was under my house.”
“Yes.”
“I never knew.”
Ross looked at him.
“We believe you.”
The second bed was empty.
But the sheets were disturbed.
Ross pointed toward restraints attached to the bed frame.
Daniel’s stomach turned.
“Who was here?”
“We don't know.”
“Adult?”
“Possibly.”
“There are hair samples and personal items being processed.”
Daniel saw a table.
On it—
a child’s hairbrush.
Emma’s.
And another object.
A silver necklace.
Daniel recognized it.
His late wife Rebecca’s necklace.
Emma’s biological mother.
Daniel stopped breathing.
Rebecca had died five years earlier.
Car accident.
“Where did you find this?”
“Inside the second bedside drawer.”
Daniel picked it up before Ross could stop him.
His hands trembled.
“That belonged to Emma’s mother.”
Ross stared.
“Madeline?”
“No. Rebecca.”
“Your first wife?”
“Yes.”
“When did she die?”
“Five years ago.”
Ross went still.
“Mr. Hayes, did your first wife ever live in this house?”
“No.”
“Was she ever here?”
“Not that I know of.”
Ross looked toward the second bed.
Daniel’s blood turned cold.
“No.”
He shook his head.
“No. Rebecca died before I met Madeline.”
“When did you meet Madeline?”
“About nine months after Rebecca died.”
Ross wrote something down.
Daniel looked around.
“This has nothing to do with Rebecca.”
Ross didn't answer.
He walked toward the cabinets.
One was locked.
Police had already opened it.
Inside were medications.
Syringes.
Medical supplies.
Ross held up an evidence photo.
“These are prescribed under several names.”
“Whose?”
“Some are Emma’s.”
Daniel stared.
“Emma wasn’t prescribed any of this.”
“We know.”
“Then whose name?”
“One prescription is under Rebecca Hayes.”
The floor seemed to move.
“That’s impossible.”
“It was filled three months ago.”
Daniel stared at her.
Rebecca had been dead five years.
“What pharmacy?”
“Private compounding pharmacy.”
“Who picked it up?”
“We’re getting records.”
Daniel looked around the room.
Madeline hadn't simply hidden Emma.
She had built a system.
Fake prescriptions.
False identities.
A secret medical room.
“This was planned.”
Ross nodded.
“Long before Emma’s funeral.”
Daniel's phone buzzed.
Madeline.
He stared at the screen.
Ross said, “Answer.”
Daniel did.
“Where are you?”
Madeline’s voice was soft.
“Daniel.”
“Where are you?”
“Is Emma alive?”
He felt rage.
“You know she is.”
Silence.
“Why did you do this?”
“Please come home.”
“I am home.”
Madeline stopped breathing.
Daniel looked around the hidden room.
“I found it.”
Another silence.
Longer.
“You shouldn't be there.”
“Why?”
“Daniel.”
“Whose second bed?”
Madeline said nothing.
He looked at Rebecca's necklace.
“Why do you have Rebecca’s necklace?”
That got her.
A sharp inhale.
Daniel closed his eyes.
“You knew her.”
“No.”
“You knew Rebecca.”
“I never met her.”
“Then why is her necklace in your secret room?”
Madeline whispered.
“Daniel, listen to me.”
“No. You listen.”
His voice broke.
“You buried my daughter alive.”
“I saved her.”
Daniel froze.
“What?”
“I saved Emma.”
“From what?”
Madeline began crying.
Or pretending.
He couldn't tell anymore.
“From the same person who killed Rebecca.”
Daniel stared at Ross.
“What did you say?”
Madeline’s voice dropped.
“You still believe Rebecca died in an accident.”
Daniel’s pulse thundered.
“She did.”
“No.”
“Stop.”
“She was murdered.”
Ross stepped closer.
Daniel gripped the phone.
“By who?”
Madeline whispered:
“The person who wants Emma dead.”
Daniel couldn’t breathe.
“Who?”
Madeline answered.
“Your brother.”
Daniel went completely still.
He had no brother.
May you like
At least—
none that he knew of.
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