Chapter 6: The Stranger at the Door
Marcus ran.
For the first time that morning, he didn’t think.
He moved.
The security room door flew open as he rushed into the hallway.
“Maya!””
His voice echoed through the mansion.
The camera showed her standing near the staircase.
The stranger was gone.
Maya turned.
“Daddy?””
Marcus reached her and dropped to his knees.
He checked her face, her arms, her shoulders.
“Are you okay?””
Maya looked confused.
“Yes.””
“Did someone talk to you?””
She hesitated.
That hesitation scared him more than anything.
“Maya?””
She looked toward the front door.
“He asked me about Mommy.””
Marcus felt his blood run cold.
“What did he ask?””
Maya hugged herself.
“He asked if I remembered her.””
Marcus glanced at Vanessa.
She had followed him into the hallway.
Her face was pale.
“What did you say?””
Maya looked down.
“I said I don’t remember.””
Marcus gently held her hand.
“Good.””
But Maya wasn’t finished.
“He said I would.””
Vanessa stepped back.
Marcus noticed.
“Vanessa?””
She looked terrified.
Not pretending.
Actually terrified.
“Who is he?””
Vanessa didn’t answer.
Marcus’s voice hardened.
“Who is he?””
She looked at Maya.
Then at Marcus.
“His name is Daniel.””
The name meant nothing to Marcus.
But Vanessa’s reaction did.
“Daniel who?””
Vanessa’s eyes filled with fear.
“Daniel Reed.””
Marcus waited.
Nothing.
He didn’t know that name.
Then Vanessa said:
“He was there the night Alana disappeared.””
The mansion suddenly felt silent.
Marcus looked at Maya.
Then back at Vanessa.
“You told me Alana left.””
Vanessa nodded slowly.
“I lied.””
The honesty shocked him.
“Why?””
Vanessa looked toward the security room.
“Because the truth was worse.””
Marcus walked closer.
“You keep saying that.””
“Because it is.””
He shook his head.
“No more.””
Vanessa looked at him.
“No more secrets.””
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Vanessa nodded.
“Okay.””
The word surprised him.
She continued.
“I’ll tell you everything.””
Marcus waited.
Vanessa took a deep breath.
“Eight years ago, Alana discovered something.””
“What?””
Vanessa looked at Maya.
“She discovered someone close to you was hiding something.””
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
“Who?””
Vanessa hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
Marcus already knew.
Someone close.
Someone inside their world.
Someone who had access.
The security system beeped.
All three turned.
The main monitor showed the front gate.
A car was parked outside.
Marcus frowned.
“I didn’t see anyone arrive.””
Vanessa stepped closer.
Then her face changed.
The person inside the car stepped out.
Marcus watched the screen.
A man.
Dark coat.
Calm expression.
Walking toward the mansion.
Daniel.
Vanessa whispered:
“He knows you found the file.””
Marcus looked at her.
“How?””
The front door camera activated.
Daniel stood outside.
Then he pressed the doorbell.
The sound echoed through the mansion.
Maya grabbed Marcus’s hand.
The doorbell rang again.
Daniel looked directly into the camera.
Almost like he knew Marcus was watching.
Then the intercom clicked.
A voice filled the hallway.
“Marcus.””
Marcus froze.
Daniel continued.
“You’ve been looking for the wrong person.””
Vanessa stepped backward.
“No…”
Marcus stared at the speaker.
Daniel’s voice remained calm.
“The woman you’re trying to find didn’t disappear.””
A pause.
“She ran.””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
Daniel continued.
“And she ran because of what your daughter was born knowing.””
Maya squeezed Marcus’s hand.
“Daddy?””
Marcus stared at the front door.
Then Daniel spoke his final words.
“Open the door, Marcus.””
May you like
A pause.
“Your wife has been lying about the wrong secret.””
