Three Weeks After Lucas Was Gone, Charles Claimed the House on Maple Street

Inside, a desk drawer slid open.

Samantha answered on the second ring.

“Victoria.

Talk to me.”

“He put his hands on me.” The words came out flat and strange, as if someone else had spoken them.

“He dragged me out onto my own porch.

The key, Samantha.

He used the emergency key.”