“Mommy?” she whispered.

“I’m here, sweetie,” I said, kissing her forehead.

“We’re playing a game. We have to be very quiet, okay?”

“Like hide-and-seek?” she asked, her voice small and raspy.

“Yes. Just like hide-and-seek.”

She nodded and buried her face back into my sweater.

I looked up at the ceiling.

The heavy footsteps had moved from the office.

They were in the hallway now.

Then, we heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs leading down to the kitchen.

And then, the door to the basement staircase creaked open.

My breath caught in my throat.

“Someone is coming down,” I whispered.

Margaret reached out and switched off the lantern.

Total darkness swallowed us.

The air felt instantly colder, heavier.

I could hear my own heartbeat, fast and loud.

In the distance, the basement door banged shut.

The heavy, slow footsteps began to descend the concrete stairs.

*Thud. Thud. Thud.*

They were coming toward the wine cellar.

Through the floorboards and the vent, another voice echoed.

It was Julian’s.

“You are exceeding the scope of your warrant, Detective,” Julian’s voice was calm, almost bored.