Chapter 4 - THE HOUSE WITH TWO LOCKS
Ethan's attorney arrived before noon.
That told me something.
He had been expecting trouble.
His attorney's name was Victor Hale.
Expensive suit.
Silver watch.
Smile like a locked door.
“He wants to speak with his wife.”
“No,” I said.
Victor looked at me.
“Sir, that's not your decision.”
“She's four months pregnant, dehydrated, and recovering from being imprisoned.”
“My client denies imprisoning her.”
I laughed.
“You're welcome to explain that to the police.”
Victor's expression didn't change.
“Ethan says Claire voluntarily entered the shed.”
I stared at him.
“The door had a padlock.”
“He says she placed it there herself.”
“Then why was the key in Ethan's pocket?”
Victor paused.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
Morales stepped forward.
“You're done here.”
Victor glanced at him.
“My client is entitled to counsel.”
“He's also entitled to remain silent.”
Victor turned toward me.
“Mr. Bennett, I strongly suggest you don't interfere with your daughter's marriage.”
“My daughter nearly died.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
Then he left.
Morales waited until the elevator doors closed.
“We searched Ethan's house.”
“And?”
“We found a second lock.”
“Where?”
“Inside his office.”
I frowned.
“What was behind it?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“That's what we thought.”
He handed me a photograph.
A wall.
Empty.
But there was a rectangular outline where something had once been mounted.
“What are we looking at?”
“Hidden safe.”
I looked at Claire.
She knew.
“I've never seen that.”
Morales nodded.
“We believe whatever was inside was removed recently.”
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
My stomach tightened.
“Who knew the police were coming?”
Morales looked at me.
“That's the question.”
Then his phone rang.
He listened.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He turned away.
After thirty seconds, he ended the call.
“Detective?”
“We found another recording.”
“Where?”
“In Ethan's car.”
My heart began racing.
“What does it say?”
“We haven't listened yet.”
Morales looked at Claire.
“Do you recognize this?”
He showed her a photograph.
A small motel.
Claire immediately covered her mouth.
“What?”
She whispered:
“That’s where Ethan took me.”
“When?”
“Two months ago.”
“Why?”
“He said we were going on a weekend trip.”
“And?”
“He locked me in a room.”
I stared at her.
“For how long?”
“One night.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“He said if I did, he'd hurt you.”
I closed my eyes.
This was bigger than I had imagined.
Much bigger.
Then Claire suddenly sat upright.
“Dad.”
“What?”
“I remember something.”
“What?”
“When he left me at the motel…”
She looked terrified.
“He wasn't alone.”
“With who?”
“A woman.”
“Who?”
Claire stared at me.
May you like
“I think it was Liv.”
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