Chapter 2: Julian Already Has the Paperwork
Marcus didn't go into the kitchen.
He kissed Lily on the forehead, told her to go watch TV, and waited until he heard her footsteps disappear down the hall.
Then he went to the security panel near the coat closet.
He had installed a backup camera system two years ago after a break-in on their street.
He had never once checked the footage.
He had never needed to.
He needed to now.
His hands were steady.
His chest was not.
The files went back eleven weeks.
He opened the first one dated a Tuesday — the same Tuesday he had flown to Boston for three days.
Sarah was in the kitchen.
Lily was at the table with a glass of juice.
Sarah had her back turned, and for a moment nothing seemed wrong.
Then Sarah turned around.
Marcus watched her add something to the glass from a small brown bottle.
Lily drank it without question.
Eighteen minutes later, Lily was visibly restless — rocking in her chair, pulling at her sleeves.
Sarah stood across the room filming her on a phone Marcus had never seen before.
He clicked to the next file.
Then the next.
It had happened nine times.
He was still sitting there when he heard Sarah's voice behind him.
"You missed your flight."
He didn't turn around.
"Marcus." Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Whatever Lily told you—"
"Don't."
A long silence.
Then she said something that made the room go cold.
May you like
"Julian already has the paperwork ready.
You were never supposed to see those files."
