Chapter 9 - THE HOUSE ON BLACKWATER LAKE
The Carter lake house stood under a colorless winter sky. Bare branches scratched its roof. Blackwater Lake moved beyond the windows like dark breathing glass.
Daniel had not entered since his father's funeral.
Ruiz found a false wall behind the boiler. The hidden room contained a mattress, empty saline bags, an oxygen tank, and medical tape stained brown with age.
Claire had been held there alive.
Daniel imagined her waking alone, injured, listening to water strike the dock. He leaned against the doorway, suddenly unable to breathe.
On the wall, someone had scratched four words:
NOAH. DANIEL. TRUST THE BOY.
Below them were thirteen vertical marks.
Noah touched the final line. “She made this for my birthday.”
Ruiz found dried blood leading to the exterior door—and two different sets of shoe impressions preserved under old paint.
One set went out.
The other came back in.
Daniel's phone rang. Lily was whispering.
May you like
“Daddy, there's a man in Aunt Rachel's house.”
Then glass shattered.
