Chapter 2 - The BasementDetective Mitchell returned immediately.
I told her what Leo had said.
She didn't react outwardly.
But her eyes changed.
“Are you sure those were his exact words?”
“Yes.”
She entered Leo's room.
She knelt beside his bed.
“Leo?”
He looked at her.
“Can you tell me about the doors?”
He nodded slowly.
“How many?”
“I don't know.”
“Were they inside the basement?”
“Yes.”
“Were there people behind them?”
Leo hesitated.
“Sometimes.”
Sarah's voice softened.
“Children?”
He nodded.
“Do you know their names?”
“No.”
“Did you see them?”
“Sometimes.”
“Where?”
“Through the cracks.”
I felt sick.
Sarah stood.
“Did Rebecca lock you in the basement?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“When she was angry.”
“What happened when she was angry?”
Leo looked down.
“She said bad kids belonged downstairs.”
Maya stirred.
Leo immediately reached toward her.
“She doesn't like Maya crying.”
Sarah looked at me.
Then back at Leo.
“Did she hurt you?”
Leo was silent.
Then he whispered,
“She said nobody would believe us.”
Sarah's jaw tightened.
“Why?”
“Because Uncle Thomas forgot about us.”
I felt as though someone had punched me.
Rebecca had used my absence against them.
She had convinced two children that nobody cared.
I leaned closer.
“Leo, listen to me.”
He looked at me.
“I never forgot you.”
“But you didn't come.”
“No.”
I swallowed.
“And I'm sorry.”
He nodded.
Then whispered,
“I tried to call you.”
“What?”
“Rebecca took the phone.”
I froze.
“Which phone?”
“Daddy's old phone.”
I remembered.
Three years ago, Rebecca had told me she threw Ethan's phone away because it was too painful for the children.
I had believed her.
Leo looked at me.
“I hid it.”
“Where?”
“In the wall.”
The police obtained an emergency warrant before dawn.
At 4:12 a.m., officers surrounded Rebecca's house.
I watched from the hospital parking lot.
Sarah had insisted I stay there.
“You're family, not law enforcement.”
I understood.
But my entire body wanted to be inside that house.
At 4:37, Sarah called.
“Thomas.”
“What happened?”
“We found the basement.”
My heart stopped.
“And?”
She was silent.
“Sarah?”
“We found restraints.”
I closed my eyes.
Then she continued.
“We also found a second room.”
“What was inside?”
“Blankets.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes.”
May you like
Her voice lowered.
“Names.”
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