The Call From Inside The House

For a fraction of a second, the grand foyer of the Bennett mansion was completely silent.

The ticking of the antique grandfather clock echoed against the marble floors.

Victoria’s eyes darted from Alexander’s flushed, panicked face to the stern, unreadable expression of Officer Reed. She recovered quickly, pressing a perfectly manicured hand to her chest.

“Alexander, darling,” Victoria said, her voice dripping with artificial warmth. “You’re home early. And… you brought the police?”

Alexander didn’t step toward her to offer his usual evening kiss.

He stopped at the base of the stairs, his eyes scanning the empty hallway above.

“Where is Sophie?” he demanded, his voice thick with a dangerous edge.

Victoria offered a polite, confused smile. She looked at Officer Reed. “Officer, is there a problem? My future stepdaughter is upstairs resting. She’s been fighting a terrible flu all day.”

“She called 911, Ms. Hayes,” Officer Reed said flatly.

Victoria let out a soft, condescending sigh. She shook her head, adopting the look of an exhausted but loving mother.

“Oh, that poor child,” Victoria murmured. “The fever must be making her delirious. She’s been having night terrors. Waking up confused. I had to move her to the guest room just so she wouldn’t hurt herself on the stairs.”

Alexander felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach.

“Delirious?” Alexander repeated. “You told me she was peacefully sleeping.”

“She was, Alex. But you know how children get when they are sick. They imagine things. She probably just missed you.”

Victoria took a step down the staircase, reaching out to touch Alexander’s arm.

He flinched away.

“Don’t,” Alexander warned.

Victoria’s hand froze in mid-air. Her polite smile faltered, replaced by a flash of genuine irritation.

“Mr. Bennett,” Officer Reed interrupted, stepping between them. “I need to see the child. Immediately.”

“Of course,” Alexander said. He pushed past Victoria, taking the stairs two at a time.

“Alexander, wait!” Victoria called out, her voice losing its smooth melody. “She’s highly contagious! And she’s fragile right now. You’ll only scare her coming in with the police.”

Alexander didn’t stop.

Officer Reed followed close behind, her hand resting instinctively on her utility belt. She had been on the force for twelve years, and she knew what a liar looked like. Victoria Hayes was trying too hard to block their path.

“Which room, Victoria?” Alexander yelled down the hallway.

Victoria slowly walked up the stairs, her jaw tight. “The east guest suite. But the door is stuck. The humidity—”

Alexander didn’t wait for her to finish. He marched down the east corridor, his heart pounding against his ribs.

He reached the heavy oak door of the guest suite.

He turned the brass handle.

It didn’t budge.

It wasn’t stuck. It was locked from the outside.

Alexander turned around slowly. Victoria had stopped a few feet away, her arms crossed defensively over her chest.

“A locked door, Victoria?” Alexander whispered, his voice trembling with a terrifying fury. “You locked my seven-year-old daughter in a room?”

“It was for her own safety!” Victoria snapped, dropping the sweet act entirely. “She was throwing a tantrum. She was trying to run outside in the cold. I had to contain her!”

“Give me the key,” Alexander demanded.

Victoria pressed her lips together. “I misplaced it.”

“Give me the damn key, Victoria, or I swear to God I will tear this door off its hinges!”

Officer Reed stepped forward. “Ma’am. If you do not produce the key to this room, I will arrest you for child endangerment right now. Do you understand me?”

Victoria’s chest heaved. The polished, elegant woman from the foyer was gone. In her place was someone cornered and desperate.

Slowly, she reached into the deep pocket of her satin dress.

She pulled out a heavy brass key and tossed it onto the carpet.

Alexander snatched it up. His hands shook as he pushed it into the lock.