Chapter 5 - The Trap is Set
The hallway felt like it was closing in on me. Daniel was coming back. He thought he was returning to his obedient, terrified wife and his starving, silent daughter. He had no idea that the house of cards he had built over five years had completely collapsed.
“What do we do?” I asked, panic spiking in my chest. “Should we leave right now?”
“No,” Officer Vance said, stepping up beside Officer Miller. “If we run now, he might get tipped off before we have enough evidence to secure an arrest warrant for the disappearance of his first wife. But you are not staying here alone, Sarah.”
“What’s the plan?”
“We want you to stay in the house,” Officer Vance explained, his tone strictly professional. “We’re going to place undercover units down the street. Two officers will be stationed inside the house—one in the guest bedroom, one in the pantry alcove out of sight. When Daniel comes home, act normal. Do not tip your hand. Let him walk right into the trap.”
“And Lily?” I asked instantly, my protective instincts flaring. “I won’t have her anywhere near him when he walks through that door.”
“Marcus, the social worker, is taking Lily to the hospital right now for a full forensic medical exam and psychological support,” Officer Miller reassured me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “She’ll be safe with professionals. We’ll escort her out through the back door before your husband’s car turns the corner.”
Ten minutes later, I watched from the living room window as Lily was safely tucked into the back of an unmarked social services vehicle. She pressed her small hand against the tinted window, waving goodbye. I pressed my hand against the glass inside, tears streaming down my face, whispering, “I’ve got you, baby. It’s almost over.”
The house fell into a heavy, suffocating silence.
Officer Vance checked his service weapon, clicking the safety off and on with a soft metallic snap before hiding it inside his jacket. Officer Miller took up position in the upstairs guest room, monitoring the security camera feeds we had hastily set up on a tablet.
“He’s turning onto our street,” Officer Miller’s voice crackled softly through my phone speaker. “Silver sedan. Parking in the driveway now. Sarah, take a deep breath. You’ve got this.”
The front door latch clicked.
May you like
Daniel’s familiar footsteps echoed on the porch. He swung the door open, dropping his leather briefcase onto the entryway floor with a heavy thud. He looked tired, loosening his tie as he called out into the empty house.
“Sarah? Lily? I’m home.”
