Chapter 8: The Woman## Chapter 8: The Woman in the Underground Room
The photograph in the Underground Room
The photograph made one thing clear.
Richard Whitmore wasn't hiding.
He made one thing clear.
Richard Whitmore wasn't hiding.
He wanted me to know he had Lily.
Detective Bennett studied wanted me to know he had Lily.
Detective Bennett studied the image on my phone.
“Do you recognize the building?””
“The old Whitmore estate. There's a basement beneath the east the image on my phone.
“Do you recognize the building?””
“The old Whitmore estate. There's a basement beneath the east wing.””
Eleanor shook her head.
“No. Richard wouldn't use the main house. There are too many cameras.””
She wing.””
Eleanor shook her head.
“No. Richard wouldn't use the main house. There are too many cameras.””
She pointed toward the background of the photograph.
“Look at the wall.””
I zoomed in.
Behind Lily was pointed toward the background of the photograph.
“Look at the wall.””
I zoomed in.
Behind Lily was a narrow stone wall with an old brass lamp attached to it. A dark wooden door stood to her right.
Eleanor went a narrow stone wall with an old brass lamp attached to it. A dark wooden door stood to her right.
Eleanor went pale.
“That's the old servants' quarters.””
Detective Bennett turned toward her.
“Is there another entrance?””
“Yes pale.
“That's the old servants' quarters.””
Detective Bennett turned toward her.
“Is there another entrance?””
“Yes. Through the carriage building.””
“Can someone access it from the outside?””
Eleanor nodded.
“There's a narrow passage beneath. Through the carriage building.””
“Can someone access it from the outside?””
Eleanor nodded.
“There's a narrow passage beneath the property. Richard used it to move things without being seen by visitors.””
Detective Bennett immediately called her team.
“Units are approaching the property. the property. Richard used it to move things without being seen by visitors.””
Detective Bennett immediately called her team.
“Units are approaching the property. Nobody enters until we establish the layout.””
I looked at her.
“My daughter is in there.””
“I Nobody enters until we establish the layout.””
I looked at her.
“My daughter is in there.””
“I understand.””
“No. You don't. She's seven years old, and she's alone with a man who has already threatened her.””
understand.””
“No. You don't. She's seven years old, and she's alone with a man who has already threatened her.””
Detective Bennett held my gaze.
“Mr. Hayes, if you rush inside, you could give him a reason to hurt her.Detective Bennett held my gaze.
“Mr. Hayes, if you rush inside, you could give him a reason to hurt her. Let us do this properly.””
I hated every word.
But she was right.
I had to get Lily home alive.
The Whitmore estate stood outside the city, surrounded by tall Let us do this properly.””
I hated every word.
But she was right.
I had to get Lily home alive.
The Whitmore estate stood outside the city, surrounded by tall oak trees and a black iron fence.
It was the kind of property that looked beautiful in photographs and intimidating in oak trees and a black iron fence.
It was the kind of property that looked beautiful in photographs and intimidating in person.
The main house had three stories, pale stone walls, and enormous windows. A fountain stood in the center of person.
The main house had three stories, pale stone walls, and enormous windows. A fountain stood in the center of the circular driveway.
Tonight, every window was dark.
Police vehicles stopped several hundred yards from the circular driveway.
Tonight, every window was dark.
Police vehicles stopped several hundred yards from the entrance.
Detective Bennett handed me a small radio.
“Stay with me. Don't approach anyone without my instruction the entrance.
Detective Bennett handed me a small radio.
“Stay with me. Don't approach anyone without my instruction.””
I nodded.
Eleanor stood beside us.
She hadn't stopped trembling since we arrived.
“Richard used.””
I nodded.
Eleanor stood beside us.
She hadn't stopped trembling since we arrived.
“Richard used to bring Clara here when she was little,” she whispered.
“She loved the gardens. She used to collect to bring Clara here when she was little,” she whispered.
“She loved the gardens. She used to collect white stones near the fountain.””
“Why did she disappear?””
Eleanor swallowed.
“Because she discovered something about her father white stones near the fountain.””
“Why did she disappear?””
Eleanor swallowed.
“Because she discovered something about her father.””
“What?””
“I don't know everything. But I know Richard blamed her for stealing documents from his office.””
A.””
“What?””
“I don't know everything. But I know Richard blamed her for stealing documents from his office.””
A police officer approached.
“Detective, we've located a vehicle registered to Thomas Bell behind the carriage building.””
Bennett nodded.
“Any movement?””
“Negative.””
police officer approached.
“Detective, we've located a vehicle registered to Thomas Bell behind the carriage building.””
Bennett nodded.
“Any movement?””
“Negative.””
I looked toward the dark structure.
“That's where Lily is.””
Before Bennett could respond, a light appearedI looked toward the dark structure.
“That's where Lily is.””
Before Bennett could respond, a light appeared in one of the basement windows.
Then my phone rang.
Richard.
I answered.
“Where is my daughter?””
“Welcome in one of the basement windows.
Then my phone rang.
Richard.
I answered.
“Where is my daughter?””
“Welcome to my property, Marcus.””
“Let her go.””
“Did you bring the locket?””
I looked at the velvet to my property, Marcus.””
“Let her go.””
“Did you bring the locket?””
I looked at the velvet box in my pocket.
“Yes.””
“Then come to the carriage building.””
Detective Bennett shook her head sharply.
I ignored box in my pocket.
“Yes.””
“Then come to the carriage building.””
Detective Bennett shook her head sharply.
I ignored the gesture.
“Let me hear Lily first.””
Richard sighed.
“Still making demands.””
A the gesture.
“Let me hear Lily first.””
Richard sighed.
“Still making demands.””
A moment later, Lily's voice came through.
“Daddy?””
“I'm here, sweetheart.””
“Please come moment later, Lily's voice came through.
“Daddy?””
“I'm here, sweetheart.””
“Please come get me.””
“I will. I promise.””
Richard took the phone back.
“Now, the locket.””
I looked get me.””
“I will. I promise.””
Richard took the phone back.
“Now, the locket.””
I looked at the silver key in my other hand.
“Why do you want it?””
“Because Rachel left something that belongs to my at the silver key in my other hand.
“Why do you want it?””
“Because Rachel left something that belongs to my family.””
“Your family has already taken enough.””
Richard laughed.
“Your wife was a very clever woman. Unfortunately, she was also family.””
“Your family has already taken enough.””
Richard laughed.
“Your wife was a very clever woman. Unfortunately, she was also very stubborn.””
I felt anger rise.
“Don't talk about Rachel.””
“She should have minded her own business.””
very stubborn.””
I felt anger rise.
“Don't talk about Rachel.””
“She should have minded her own business.””
The call ended.
Detective Bennett approached.
“Mr. Hayes, we have officers moving around the rear entrance.The call ended.
Detective Bennett approached.
“Mr. Hayes, we have officers moving around the rear entrance. You're staying here.””
I looked toward the carriage building.
“Then what happens next?””
“We wait for confirmation.””
But You're staying here.””
I looked toward the carriage building.
“Then what happens next?””
“We wait for confirmation.””
But we didn't have time.
A side door opened.
Thomas Bell stepped outside.
He held a phone in we didn't have time.
A side door opened.
Thomas Bell stepped outside.
He held a phone in one hand and looked toward the driveway.
Then he raised his voice.
“Mr. Hayes!””
Every officer turned.
Thomas smiled one hand and looked toward the driveway.
Then he raised his voice.
“Mr. Hayes!””
Every officer turned.
Thomas smiled.
“Mr. Whitmore says you can come inside.””
Detective Bennett raised her hand.
“Police! Step away from the building.
“Mr. Whitmore says you can come inside.””
Detective Bennett raised her hand.
“Police! Step away from the building!””
Thomas immediately disappeared through the doorway.
Two officers moved forward.
A loud crash came from inside.
Then the!””
Thomas immediately disappeared through the doorway.
Two officers moved forward.
A loud crash came from inside.
Then the lights went out.
“Move!”” Bennett shouted.
The police rushed toward the building.
I followed despite her warning lights went out.
“Move!”” Bennett shouted.
The police rushed toward the building.
I followed despite her warning.
The entrance led to a narrow corridor that smelled of damp stone and old wood.
A staircase.
The entrance led to a narrow corridor that smelled of damp stone and old wood.
A staircase descended toward the basement.
I heard a child crying.
“Daddy!””
I ran.
At the bottom of the stairs, descended toward the basement.
I heard a child crying.
“Daddy!””
I ran.
At the bottom of the stairs, I found an empty room.
A small stuffed rabbit lay on the floor.
Lily's rabbit.
I picked it up.
“ I found an empty room.
A small stuffed rabbit lay on the floor.
Lily's rabbit.
I picked it up.
“Lily?””
A door slammed somewhere behind the wall.
An officer shouted, “Suspect moving toward the east passage!””
DetectLily?””
A door slammed somewhere behind the wall.
An officer shouted, “Suspect moving toward the east passage!””
Detective Bennett pointed.
“Seal the rear exit!””
I noticed something beside the empty chair.
A silverive Bennett pointed.
“Seal the rear exit!””
I noticed something beside the empty chair.
A silver hair clip.
Lily's.
I picked it up.
Then I saw a small piece of paper underneath the chair.
It hair clip.
Lily's.
I picked it up.
Then I saw a small piece of paper underneath the chair.
It had been folded into four squares.
My daughter's handwriting covered the front.
Daddy, I found a secret door.
had been folded into four squares.
My daughter's handwriting covered the front.
Daddy, I found a secret door.
I unfolded it.
Inside was a second message.
*The nice lady said Mommy told her to waitI unfolded it.
Inside was a second message.
The nice lady said Mommy told her to wait for you.
I stared at the words.
“What nice lady?””
Before I could finish, a woman's voice came from behind the wall.
“Marcus?””
for you.*
I stared at the words.
“What nice lady?””
Before I could finish, a woman's voice came from behind the wall.
“Marcus?””
I turned.
A narrow wooden panel had opened.
A woman stepped into the corridor.
She was in herI turned.
A narrow wooden panel had opened.
A woman stepped into the corridor.
She was in her thirties, with dark hair and tired eyes.
She looked at me as though she had been waiting years for thirties, with dark hair and tired eyes.
She looked at me as though she had been waiting years for this moment.
“Are you Marcus Hayes?””
“Yes.””
She looked down at the silver key in my hand.
Then her face crumpled.
“Rachel this moment.
“Are you Marcus Hayes?””
“Yes.””
She looked down at the silver key in my hand.
Then her face crumpled.
“Rachel kept her promise.””
I stared at her.
“Who are you?””
She swallowed.
“I'm Clara Whitmore.””
Eleanor appeared kept her promise.””
I stared at her.
“Who are you?””
She swallowed.
“I'm Clara Whitmore.””
Eleanor appeared behind me.
She stopped breathing.
“Clara?””
The woman turned.
For several seconds, mother and daughter simply behind me.
She stopped breathing.
“Clara?””
The woman turned.
For several seconds, mother and daughter simply stared at each other.
Then Eleanor covered her mouth.
“Oh, my God.””
Clara's eyes filled.
“Hello, Mom.””
E stared at each other.
Then Eleanor covered her mouth.
“Oh, my God.””
Clara's eyes filled.
“Hello, Mom.””
Eleanor rushed toward her, but Clara stepped back.
“Not yet.””
Her voice was gentle but firm.
“We don't have muchleanor rushed toward her, but Clara stepped back.
“Not yet.””
Her voice was gentle but firm.
“We don't have much time.””
I stepped closer.
“Where is my daughter?””
Clara looked toward the passage.
“She's safe for the time.””
I stepped closer.
“Where is my daughter?””
Clara looked toward the passage.
“She's safe for the moment. But Richard has another exit.””
“Where?””
Clara pointed toward the far wall.
“Behind the old wine cellar.””
Detective Bennett immediately radioed her moment. But Richard has another exit.””
“Where?””
Clara pointed toward the far wall.
“Behind the old wine cellar.””
Detective Bennett immediately radioed her officers.
Clara looked at the silver key again.
“Did Rachel give you that?””
“Eleanor did.””
Clara nodded.
“Then you need to open the box officers.
Clara looked at the silver key again.
“Did Rachel give you that?””
“Eleanor did.””
Clara nodded.
“Then you need to open the box.””
“What box?””
“The one Rachel hid before she died.””
I looked at the key.
“Where is it?””
Clara's eyes filled.””
“What box?””
“The one Rachel hid before she died.””
I looked at the key.
“Where is it?””
Clara's eyes filled with tears.
“In the room where your wife and I met for the last time.””
She took a breath.
“And Marcus, there's something Rachel wanted with tears.
“In the room where your wife and I met for the last time.””
She took a breath.
“And Marcus, there's something Rachel wanted you to know.””
“What?””
Clara looked directly at me.
“Lily isn't just the beneficiary of that second trust.””
She you to know.””
“What?””
Clara looked directly at me.
“Lily isn't just the beneficiary of that second trust.””
She paused.
“She's the only person who can expose what Richard did.””
Detective Bennett sent two officers with Clara to secure paused.
“She's the only person who can expose what Richard did.””
Detective Bennett sent two officers with Clara to secure the underground passage.
I stayed near the cellar door.
A few seconds later, we heard a metallic crash.
Then a man's the underground passage.
I stayed near the cellar door.
A few seconds later, we heard a metallic crash.
Then a man's voice shouted.
“Get away from me!””
An officer called out.
“Police! Hands where we voice shouted.
“Get away from me!””
An officer called out.
“Police! Hands where we can see them!””
I rushed toward the sound.
Thomas Bell was on the ground, handcuffed, with a small pistol lying several feet away.
Richard was nowhere to be seen.
“Where's Lily?”” I demanded.
Thomas laughed.
can see them!””
I rushed toward the sound.
Thomas Bell was on the ground, handcuffed, with a small pistol lying several feet away.
Richard was nowhere to be seen.
“Where's Lily?”” I demanded.
Thomas laughed.
“You're too late.””
I grabbed his jacket.
“Where is she?””
Detect“You're too late.””
I grabbed his jacket.
“Where is she?””
Detective Bennett pulled me back.
“Mr. Hayes!””
Thomas looked at me.
“Your daughter isive Bennett pulled me back.
“Mr. Hayes!””
Thomas looked at me.
“Your daughter is with the only person who can tell you what happened to Rachel.””
My heart stopped.
“Who?””
Thomas smiled.
“Your future wife with the only person who can tell you what happened to Rachel.””
My heart stopped.
“Who?””
Thomas smiled.
“Your future wife.””
May you like
Then he began laughing.
And from somewhere inside the cellar, I heard Lily scream.
