Chapter 5: The Missing Footage
“No.””
The word escaped before I could stop it.
David said nothing.
I pressed the phone harder against my ear.
“David, that's impossible.””
“I know how it sounds.””
“My husband died six years ago.””
“I know.””
“Then say it again.””
He lowered his voice.
“The man in the footage looked exactly like him.””
My knees nearly gave out.
Principal Bennett caught my elbow.
“Mrs. Harris?””
I shook my head.
“I’m fine.””
I wasn't.
I walked toward the window.
Outside, Atlanta traffic moved through the afternoon as if the world hadn't just tilted beneath my feet.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because the footage was flagged as corrupted.””
“Corrupted?””
“Yes.””
“By whom?””
David hesitated.
“IT.””
“Who in IT?””
“I don't know.””
“David.””
“Laura, listen to me. I wasn't supposed to tell you this.””
“Then why are you?””
“Because someone accessed your employee file this morning.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
“We don't know.””
“Did they access my home address?””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
The room became silent behind me.
Then I heard David say:
“And your emergency contact.””
I turned.
Miles was watching me.
“What was the emergency contact?””
David didn't answer.
“David?””
“Your husband.””
I couldn't breathe.
“That can't be there.””
“I know.””
“I changed that years ago.””
“Exactly.””
Ariana's mother stepped closer.
“What happened?””
I covered the phone.
“My company says someone accessed my records.””
Her face changed.
“Then they know where we live.””
I immediately looked at Miles.
“No.””
He understood.
“Mom?””
“We're not going home yet.””
Principal Bennett nodded.
“That may be wise.””
Then the school secretary rushed into the office.
“Mr. Bennett?””
He turned.
“What is it?””
“There’s a man asking for Mrs. Harris.””
My heart stopped.
“What man?””
“He says he's with her company.””
I looked at Principal Bennett.
“Did he give a name?””
The secretary shook her head.
“He refused.””
Principal Bennett stepped toward the door.
“Don't let him in.””
Too late.
A shadow crossed the frosted glass.
Someone knocked.
Three slow knocks.
Miles grabbed my hand.
The door opened.
A tall man with gray hair stood outside.
Expensive watch.
Black jacket.
My pulse thundered.
He smiled.
“Laura.””
I couldn't move.
I knew that face.
Not because he looked like my husband.
Because I had seen him standing beside my husband.
Six years ago.
At our house.
The night before my husband died.
“Martin?””
His smile disappeared.
“You remember me.””
David was still on the phone.
His voice came faintly through the receiver.
“Laura, get away from him.””
I stepped backward.
Martin looked at Miles.
“That's your boy?””
I pulled Miles behind me.
“Don't come any closer.””
Martin raised both hands.
“I’m not here to hurt anyone.””
“Then why are you here?””
His eyes shifted toward Ariana.
Then back to me.
“To finish something your husband started.””
I felt dizzy.
“My husband is dead.””
“I know.””
“Then what do you want?””
Martin reached inside his jacket.
Principal Bennett immediately stepped in front of us.
“Take your hand out slowly.””
Martin stopped.
Then he pulled out a small envelope.
He placed it on the floor.
“Give that to Laura.””
Principal Bennett picked it up.
Inside was a photograph.
My husband stood outside a warehouse.
Beside him was David.
And beside David—
was me.
I stared at the image.
I had never seen it before.
My voice shook.
“When was this taken?””
Martin looked at me.
“Three days before your husband died.””
I turned toward David.
He was still on the phone.
“David?””
No answer.
“David, were you there?””
Silence.
Then the call disconnected.
I stared at the dead screen.
Martin smiled sadly.
“You're finally asking the right questions.””
“Why was my husband at that warehouse?””
“You'll have to ask your boss.””
“I just did.””
Martin's expression hardened.
“He's lying.””
Then he walked away.
Principal Bennett rushed into the hallway.
“Security!””
But Martin was already disappearing around the corner.
Ariana's mother picked up the photograph.
Her hands began shaking.
“Mrs. Harris…”
“What?””
She pointed at the warehouse.
“I know this place.””
My heart stopped.
“How?””
May you like
She looked at me.
“I used to clean there.””
