Chapter 2: Three Knocks From the Dark
Daniel caught Vivian by the arm before she reached the door.
"You're not going anywhere."
His voice was quiet.
That was the part that frightened her most.
Vivian twisted against his grip.
"Let go of me.
You're being insane."
"Then explain the latch."
She said nothing.
Elena was already on her knees, fingers working the brass latch with shaking hands.
The officer who had stayed behind moved toward her.
Together they pulled.
The panel lifted.
The smell hit them first.
Cold air.
Damp concrete.
Darkness.
And then a small voice.
"Daddy?"
Elena made a sound no one in that room would ever forget.
Daniel released Vivian and dropped to the floor.
He reached down into the dark space beneath the boards and felt two small arms wrap around his neck.
Noah was shaking.
His lips were pale.
He was wearing only his pajama top.
"I knocked," Noah whispered.
"I knocked and knocked."
"I know, buddy." Daniel pulled him up and held him against his chest.
"I've got you."
The officer turned to Vivian.
She had stopped trying to leave.
Her face had gone completely still.
"I want a lawyer," she said.
Daniel looked at his sister over his son's shoulder.
"You're going to need one."
Then the officer reached for his radio — and Daniel noticed something in Vivian's open handbag near the door.
A folded document.
With their father's name on it.
---
What's in that document — and how long has Vivian been planning this?
What Daniel finds next will shock you.
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