PART 3 — Christmas Night
Ethan motioned for Noah to take the twins upstairs.
When he opened the door, two police officers stood outside.
Between them was Detective Hannah Carter.
She looked exhausted.
She also looked remarkably calm for a mother who had supposedly found her missing children.
"There they are," Hannah said softly after spotting the girls behind the staircase.
"Lily. Lucy. Come home."
Neither child moved.
Instead, they hid behind Noah.
Officer Martinez frowned.
"Girls?"
Lucy burst into tears.
"No! She hurts us!"
Silence.
Hannah immediately looked horrified.
"Sweetheart... what are you saying?"
Lily pointed toward her mother.
"She locked us in the basement."
"And Uncle Victor said if we told anyone... Daddy would stay dead forever."
Ethan noticed Hannah's expression.
Not grief.
Not shock.
Fear.
Real fear.
Officer Martinez slowly turned toward her.
"Ma'am..."
Before Hannah could answer, another SUV pulled into the driveway.
A gray-haired FBI agent stepped out.
"Don't let her leave."
Everyone froze.
The agent displayed a federal warrant.
"Detective Hannah Carter, you're under investigation for conspiracy, insurance fraud, obstruction of justice, and the murder of Daniel Carter."
Hannah collapsed to her knees.
"It wasn't supposed to happen..."
Officer Martinez handcuffed her while another investigator opened a thick evidence file.
Inside were hidden bank transfers, recorded phone calls, and a confession from Victor Carter, Hannah's brother, who had been arrested only two hours earlier after agreeing to cooperate.
The girls watched silently.
May you like
For the first time...
The adults believed them.
