Chapter 10 - THE BREAK-IN
Claire grabbed Evan's arm.
"Don't move."
Glass cracked in the study.
Evan used his phone light and moved toward the sound.
A shadow crossed the hallway.
"Hey!"
Evan followed, landed badly and nearly went down.
It was not Martin.
It was Martin's son, Derek.
When he returned inside, Claire was kneeling beside the broken desk drawer.
"The recorder is gone."
Then Helen appeared in the hallway.
"What happened?"
Claire looked at her.
"Derek happened."
Helen went pale.
Evan called the police.
Martin arrived before they did.
"Your son broke into this house," Evan said.
Martin sighed.
"Derek has been having problems."
Claire laughed bitterly.
"Another explanation. This family loves those."
Martin's gaze moved to Helen.
"You should have destroyed the locket."
"How did you know about that?"
Martin realized he had gone too far.
Helen whispered, "Robert told him."
Martin looked at her.
"Robert told me everything eventually."
"Including what happened to Mara?"
Martin's face became unreadable.
"Be very careful with accusations."
"Were you driving that night?"
"No."
"Was Derek?"
Martin laughed.
"He was a child."
Police lights flashed outside.
Martin buttoned his coat.
"You want truth, Evan?"
He moved close enough that only Evan could hear.
"Ask your mother why she waited twelve minutes before calling 911."
Evan turned toward Helen.
"Mom?"
Martin walked out smiling.
Helen whispered, "It wasn't twelve."
Evan's voice cracked.
"How long was it?"
May you like
She could barely answer.
"Nine."
