Chapter 5 - BLACK SCREENS

The house seemed to change when the cameras died.

Every window looked like a possible entrance.

Every room felt exposed.

Walter locked the front doors and told everyone to stay in the dining room. Uncle Frank complained. Aunt Susan demanded to leave. Nobody moved when Walter said, "If someone has remote access to my security system, I want to know why before anybody walks out."

Daniel came toward me.

"Becca, I'm sorry."

I looked at him.

My lip was swollen. My scalp hurt. My knees were bleeding through my stockings.

"Which part?"

"All of it."

"That's not an answer."

He lowered his voice. "I should've stopped her."

"You should've stopped her years ago."

He flinched.

Good.

The doorbell rang.

Everybody froze.

Walter checked the peephole, then opened the door to two police officers.

Someone had already called them.

Not Walter.

Officer Hayes stepped inside. "We received a report of domestic assault and theft."

Evelyn straightened immediately. "Thank God. She stole from me and attacked me when I confronted her."

I stared at her.

"You called them before lunch," I said.

She smiled.

Officer Hayes looked between us. "We need statements from everyone."

Maya showed him the hallway footage. I played the recording. Walter described the missing trust documents.

Evelyn's story began collapsing in real time.

Then the second officer returned from the kitchen holding a white envelope.

"Found this behind the trash can."

My name was written across the front.

Inside were five hundred dollars in cash.

Aunt Susan gasped.

Evelyn pointed at me. "There!"

Officer Hayes didn't react.

He turned the envelope over.

On the back was a bank withdrawal receipt.

The account holder's name was printed clearly.

EVELYN CARTER.

The withdrawal time was 9:12 that morning.

The officer looked at her.

"Ma'am, did you withdraw this cash yourself?"

Evelyn's mouth opened.

Before she could answer, Walter's landline rang.

He picked it up.

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A man's voice said, "Walter, if you want Grant alive, don't call the police again."

Then the line went dead.