“Where is Emily?” I asked.

My voice was quiet, but it filled the room.

“She is with Ryan,” Evelyn said from the armchair, her voice trembling slightly.

“They are sorting out their domestic affairs,” she added.

“She screamed,” I said.

I took a step into the room.

Sheriff Mercer shifted his weight and unclipped the strap on his holster.

“That is far enough, Hale,” Mercer said.

“You need to turn around and walk back down those stairs,” the sheriff added.

“Otherwise, I will have to arrest you for breaking and entering.”

I did not look at Mercer.

My eyes remained on Charles.

“You have five seconds to tell me where she is,” I said.

The Senator, who had been watching me closely, took a step forward.

He frowned, his eyes scanning my face, then my posture.

“Charles, who is this man?” the Senator asked.

“Just the local gardener,” Charles said, taking a sip of his drink.

“Emily’s father,” Charles added. “An old nuisance.”

The Senator did not look convinced.

His gaze drifted down to my hands.

I had my left hand resting on the back of a leather chair.