Chapter 5: The Locked Bedroom
Dad moved first.
He grabbed the heavy flashlight from the kitchen drawer.
“Stay here,” he said.
I caught his sleeve.
“Dad, Ethan said not to let Mom leave.””
“I heard him.””
“Then where are you going?””
“Upstairs.””
Lily whispered, “Dad…”
He looked at her.
“Stay with Claire.””
Mom suddenly moved toward the front door.
Dad blocked her.
“Where are you going?””
“I need air.””
“No.””
“John, I'm having a panic attack.””
“You can have it right here.””
Chloe stepped forward.
“Dad, you're scaring her.””
He turned on her.
“She should be scared.””
Chloe recoiled.
Dad pointed toward the stairs.
“Everyone stays downstairs.””
A floorboard creaked above us.
We all looked up.
Then another.
Slow.
Heavy.
Someone was walking across the second floor.
Dad raised the flashlight.
“Who's up there?””
No answer.
“I'm calling the police.””
A voice came from upstairs.
“Don't.””
It was male.
Lily grabbed my arm.
Mom whispered, “No.””
Dad stared toward the landing.
“Marcus?””
Silence.
Then the sound of something hitting the floor.
Dad started up the stairs.
I followed.
“Claire, stay back.””
“No.””
He reached the top.
The hallway was dark.
Every bedroom door stood open except one.
Ethan’s old bedroom.
The door was locked.
Dad tried the handle.
“Ethan?””
Nothing.
He knocked.
“Ethan, if you're in there, answer me.””
No response.
Dad looked at me.
“Give me the spare key.””
I remembered the small brass key hanging beside the kitchen pantry downstairs.
“I'll get it.””
I turned.
And nearly collided with Chloe.
She was standing at the bottom of the stairs.
She was staring at the locked bedroom.
“Chloe?””
She didn't answer.
“What's wrong?””
Her eyes stayed fixed on the door.
“That's not Ethan's room anymore.””
Dad looked down.
“What?””
Chloe finally spoke.
“Mom changed the lock.””
Mom's voice came from behind us.
“Chloe.””
Chloe spun around.
“You told me never to talk about it.””
Dad slowly descended one step.
“Talk about what?””
Chloe began crying.
Mom grabbed her arm.
“Come with me.””
Dad stopped them.
“Let her go.””
Mom released Chloe.
Dad's voice was quiet.
“What's behind that door?””
Mom shook her head.
“Nothing.””
“Then unlock it.””
“I don't have the key.””
Dad stared at her.
“You changed the lock and don't have a key?””
“I lost it.””
He looked at Chloe.
“Who does?””
Chloe's lips trembled.
“Ethan.””
Dad froze.
“What?””
“He kept one.””
“Why?””
“Because he found the papers.””
Dad's face hardened.
“What papers?””
Chloe wiped her tears.
“The ones Marcus wanted.””
Mom closed her eyes.
I stepped closer.
“What did Ethan find?””
Chloe looked at me.
“Mom stole money.””
Dad's expression didn't change.
“How much?””
“Enough.””
“How much?””
Chloe whispered the number.
“Two hundred thousand dollars.””
Dad staggered back.
“No.””
Mom began sobbing.
“It wasn't like that.””
“You stole two hundred thousand dollars?””
“It was mine.””
“From whom?””
She said nothing.
Dad looked at Chloe.
“And Ethan knew?””
Chloe nodded.
“He found the account.””
I remembered Ethan’s warning.
If Dad finds out, you're going to lose everything.
Dad reached for his phone.
“I’m calling Ethan.””
Mom suddenly screamed.
“No!””
She lunged for his phone.
Dad stepped away.
“Why?””
“Because he doesn't know where Marcus is.””
Dad stared at her.
“Then tell me.””
Mom's face went white.
“He's in the house.””
The words barely left her mouth before the locked bedroom door clicked.
Everyone froze.
The knob slowly turned.
The door opened two inches.
A man's hand appeared through the gap.
Lily screamed.
Dad pulled us backward.
The door opened wider.
But the room was empty.
Except for a chair.
And on the chair was Ethan's duffel bag.
Dad stared at it.
“He came back.””
I stepped into the doorway.
“No.””
Something was wrong.
The bag was too clean.
Too deliberately placed.
I crouched beside it.
A white envelope sat on top.
My name was written across it.
*CLAIRE.*
My hands shook as I opened it.
May you like
Inside was one sentence.
Ask your father why Mom needed the money.
