CHAPTER 8 — THE SECRET INSIDE THE GUEST ROOM
Rebecca called for immediate police assistance.
Because Miles was a law enforcement officer, the response was coordinated through state authorities rather than his own department.
On the phone, I heard Claire moving down the hallway.
Then Sophie screamed.
“Don’t touch Mr.
Buttons!”
The teddy bear.
Miles had found it.
“Sophie,” he said softly, “I just need to check something.”
“No!”
“Where’s the paper?”
My daughter began crying.
I could barely breathe.
Then Claire spoke.
“Get away from her.”
Miles’s voice changed instantly.
“Where is your mother?”
“Leave us alone.”
“Claire, you’re making this difficult.”
Something crashed.
I screamed into the phone.
“CLAIRE!”
Rebecca grabbed my arm.
“Stay on the line.”
There was a struggle.
Then a door slammed.
Claire was breathing hard.
“We’re in the bathroom.”
“Lock it!”
I shouted.
“I did!”
Miles pounded on the door.
“Open it!”
