Chapter 5 - THE FIRST LIE
The tunnel ended beneath the old wine cellar.
Julian pushed open the hidden hatch.
Empty.
For now.
Lily climbed out behind him.
“Is Mr. Reed dead?”
Julian looked away.
“I don’t know.”
He knew.
But he couldn’t say it.
Not yet.
They moved through rows of wine racks.
At the far end stood a service door.
Julian tried it.
Locked.
He searched the wall.
Emergency release.
Nothing.
Then Lily whispered, “Daddy.”
“What?”
She pointed.
A small camera was mounted in the corner.
Its red light was blinking.
“They can see us.”
Julian grabbed a bottle and smashed the camera.
“Come on.”
He found a dumbwaiter used by the old kitchen staff.
Too small for him.
But large enough for Lily.
“No.”
“You haven’t even heard the plan.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“You’re going upstairs.”
“No.”
“You’re going to the guest wing. Room 12. There’s an old landline there on a separate circuit.”
Lily shook her head violently.
“I’m staying.”
Julian crouched.
“Baby, I need you to be brave.”
“I am brave!”
“I know.”
“Then don’t send me away!”
Julian swallowed.
“You can save us.”
That stopped her.
He showed her how to operate the dumbwaiter.
“When you get upstairs, stay quiet. Call 911. Tell them there’s an armed man in the house.”
“And Grandma?”
Julian’s eyes turned hard.
“Tell them everything.”
Lily climbed inside.
Julian kissed her forehead.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The door closed.
The dumbwaiter moved upward.
Julian stood alone.
Then the cellar lights came on.
Eleanor’s voice sounded from a speaker.
“You always were sentimental.”
Julian looked around.
“Where are you?”
“Close.”
“You killed Caroline.”
Silence.
Then Eleanor laughed softly.
“Caroline killed herself.”
“You cut her brake line.”
“That ridiculous file?”
“You paid the mechanic.”
“People fabricate documents.”
“You planned Lily’s death too.”
“She was never supposed to become a problem.”
Julian’s jaw clenched.
“She’s your granddaughter.”
“She’s a legal obstacle.”
Julian felt something inside him break.
Not rage.
Something colder.
Final.
“You killed Dad too, didn’t you?”
For the first time, Eleanor didn’t answer.
Julian waited.
“Mom.”
Nothing.
Then footsteps sounded behind him.
Victor.
Julian spun.
Victor swung the shotgun like a club.
Julian ducked.
The stock smashed a wine rack.
Bottles exploded.
Julian drove his shoulder into Victor’s ribs.
They crashed into the wall.
Victor punched him.
Julian staggered.
Victor raised the shotgun.
Julian grabbed a broken bottle.
Before either man could move, a woman screamed upstairs.
Lily.
Julian froze.
May you like
Victor smiled.
“She never made it to Room 12.”
