Chapter 2: Four Words on a Screen
Nathan didn't move from the doorway.
Dominic stood up slowly.
His coat was still around Mia's shoulders.
His eyes never left Nathan's face.
"Get the doctor," Dominic said to Daniel.
"Now."
Daniel ran.
Nathan took one step into the cellar.
"Dom, I swear to you — I had no idea she was down here.
Claire told me Mia left.
I believed her."
"You signed off on the lock."
"For the wine.
I thought it was about the wine."
Mia's voice came from the floor.
Barely a whisper.
But everyone heard it.
"He was there."
The room went still.
Dominic turned back to her.
"Nathan was there," Mia said.
"When Claire…
when they brought me down.
He stood at the top of the stairs.
He watched."
Nathan's jaw tightened.
"She's confused.
Three days without water — she doesn't know what she saw."
"She knew exactly where her daughter was," Dominic said quietly.
Harper hadn't let go of Mia's arm.
She was staring at Nathan with the kind of stillness only a child who has learned to be afraid can manage.
Then Dominic's phone buzzed.
He looked at the screen.
A message.
No name.
May you like
Just four words.
*Check Claire's travel bag.*
