Chapter 3
The police arrived before Diane could rebuild her performance.
Two officers stepped into the dining room.
Their presence changed everything.
People who had been silent suddenly found chairs very interesting.
Diane tried to greet them like guests.
“Officers, this is a misunderstanding.”
Noah hid behind me.
Officer Grant saw that.
He crouched low.
“Hi, buddy. I’m not here to scare you.”
Noah stared at him.
Diane snapped, “He’s dramatic.”
Officer Grant stood.
“Ma’am, please don’t speak to him.”
Ryan stepped forward.
“My son is tired. My wife overreacted.”
I turned on him.
“Say it again.”
He blinked.
“Sarah.”
“Say in front of the officers that I overreacted because your mother slapped our son.”
His jaw tightened.
Diane began crying again.
“My birthday is ruined.”
I looked at her perfect cake.
Then at my son’s red cheek.
“Good.”
Officer Grant separated us.
Noah and I moved into the hallway with a female officer named Patel.
She asked him gentle questions.
Noah answered in whispers.
“Yes.”
“Downstairs.”
“When Mommy works late.”
“Grandma’s wooden spoon.”
“Daddy said Grandma loves me but I make her angry.”
Every answer carved something out of me.
I wanted to scream.
Instead, I held his hand.
Officer Patel looked at me.
“Do you consent to us checking the basement?”
“Yes.”
Ryan rushed forward.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
His panic came too fast.
Officer Grant narrowed his eyes.
“Why not?”
Ryan swallowed.
“It’s storage. It’s messy.”
Diane said, “There’s nothing down there.”
Melissa suddenly stood.
“Then open it.”
Diane glared at her daughter.
Melissa lifted her chin.
“I’m done.”
Officer Grant asked for the key.
Diane claimed she did not know where it was.
Noah whispered, “Grandma wears it.”
We all looked at the gold chain around Diane’s neck.
A small brass key hung beneath her collar.
Her hand flew to it.
Officer Patel said, “Ma’am.”
Diane backed away.
Ryan stepped in front of her.
That was when his younger brother, Mark, stood.
“Move, Ryan.”
Ryan stared at him.
Mark’s face was pale.
“I have kids too.”
The officers took the key.
Diane sat down like her bones had disappeared.
The basement door opened.
Cold air rose from below.
May you like
Noah buried his face against me.
And from the darkness beneath Diane’s perfect house came the smell of bleach, dust, and fear.
