Chapter 2 — The Man in the Van
Emily's heart pounded as David staggered toward the staircase.
"Stay away from her," she said, spreading her arms to block his path.
David laughed—a slow, drunken laugh that carried no humor.
"You think you're protecting her?"
He shoved Emily aside hard enough that she crashed into the hallway table. A family photograph shattered across the hardwood floor.
Upstairs, Lily gasped.
She had never seen her mother fall that hard.
David took one heavy step toward the stairs.
Then another.
Suddenly—
A loud voice exploded from outside.
"David Harper!"
The booming command echoed through the rain.
David froze.
A powerful spotlight flooded through the front windows, illuminating the entire living room.
Emily stared toward the curtains.
Outside, a dark surveillance van sat across the street.
Its side door slid open.
Three men wearing black jackets stepped into the rain.
Each carried identification clipped to a tactical vest.
One of them spoke into a megaphone.
"We have everything on camera. Every assault. Every threat. Open the door."
David's face turned white.
"What... what is this?"
Emily looked just as confused.
She had never seen the van before.
She had no idea someone had been watching.
The hidden camera inside the smoke detector blinked again.
Someone inside the van quietly saved another recording.
One of the investigators spoke into his headset.
"Victim confirmed alive."
"Minor child confirmed upstairs."
"Proceed."
David stumbled backward.
May you like
For the first time that night...
Fear replaced his anger.
