Chapter 2 - THE BLUE ROOM
The blue room had not been opened since Claire died.
That was what Ethan had always believed.
It occupied the eastern corner of the mansion’s third floor, overlooking the woods surrounding the Carter estate.
Claire had used it as a private study.
After her death, Ethan had ordered the staff to leave everything untouched.
He had never been able to enter.
Now he climbed the stairs with Sophie in his arms and the brass key clenched in his fist.
Celeste followed several steps behind.
Richard followed her.
Ethan stopped before the pale blue door.
A second lock had been installed beneath the original handle.
Ethan stared at it.
“I didn’t put that there.”
Celeste whispered, “I did.”
Ethan turned.
“Why?”
She looked at Richard.
That single glance answered more than words could have.
Ethan inserted the brass key.
It fit perfectly.
The lock clicked.
The room smelled faintly of cedar and lavender.
Claire’s favorite perfume had long disappeared, but traces of her remained everywhere.
Her books.
Her writing desk.
A cream sweater folded over the back of a chair.
A framed photograph of Ethan holding newborn Sophie.
Sophie slowly climbed down.
“Mommy’s room.”
Ethan swallowed hard.
Then he noticed the desk.
One drawer was open.
Papers had been scattered across the carpet.
Someone had searched the room recently.
He turned toward Celeste.
“You’ve been in here.”
“No.”
Richard interrupted.
“Enough of this.”
Ethan crossed the room and pulled open the remaining drawers.
Empty.
Then Sophie walked toward the window.
“Daddy.”
She pointed beneath the desk.
A small strip of blue fabric hung from the wooden panel underneath.
Ethan knelt.
There was a hidden compartment.
He pressed the brass key into another tiny lock.
The panel dropped open.
Inside sat a leather folder, a flash drive, and a sealed envelope.
Written across the envelope were four words.
FOR ETHAN, NOT RICHARD.
Richard lunged forward.
Ethan moved faster.
He grabbed the folder and shoved it inside his jacket.
“Get out of my wife’s room.”
Richard’s face darkened.
“You have no idea what you’re opening.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“No.”
“But Claire did.”
The sound of tires suddenly came from outside.
Several vehicles were approaching the mansion.
Celeste rushed to the window.
Her expression collapsed.
“They’re early.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Who’s early?”
Three black SUVs stopped at the front gate.
May you like
And Celeste whispered the words that changed everything.
“The people who were supposed to make Sophie disappear.”
