CHAPTER 2
Victoria Walker hurried to the staircase, her face drained of color. At first she had believed her daughter-in-law had simply lost her balance. Now she wasn't so sure. Her eyes wandered toward the upper landing. A large framed family portrait hung crooked against the wall. Victoria frowned. "I straightened that picture this morning." She climbed two careful steps and examined the wall. The frame had fresh fingerprints across its dusty edge. Below it, the carpet showed faint scuff marks leading toward the upstairs hallway. James followed her gaze but stayed beside Sophia. He refused to disturb anything that might become evidence. Ethan looked from the damaged railing to the hallway above. Someone had stood there. Someone had enough time to loosen the railing... and leave. Before anyone spoke again— Creak... An upstairs bedroom door slowly began to close. Click. Every head turned. For the briefest moment, a dark silhouette disappeared behind the hallway wall. "They're still here," Ethan whispered. Then he ran upstairs.
