Chapter 3 - The Open Line.
Jonathan appeared at the end of the corridor with Luis several steps behind him.
He was still wearing the tuxedo he had chosen for the foundation gala, but his bow tie hung slightly crooked from being pulled away from a conversation too quickly.
“What happened?” he demanded.
Then he saw the portrait.
Then he saw the hand reaching from behind it.
His face changed.
“Noah?”
The boy disappeared deeper into the compartment.
Jonathan stopped walking.
“Noah.”
Celeste moved toward him.
“Jonathan, listen to me before anyone says something reckless.”
He looked at her as though he had not heard the words.
“My son is behind the wall.”
“He had an episode.”
Jonathan stared at the opening.
“In the wall?”
“The secure room was recommended for brief sensory isolation.”
Maya heard Luis make a quiet sound of disbelief.
Jonathan stepped toward Noah.
The boy panicked.
“No.”
Jonathan froze.
“Noah, it's Dad.”
“Don't let her give me medicine.”
Jonathan looked at Celeste.
“What medicine?”
Celeste's answer came immediately.
“The medication Dr. Vale prescribed.”
Maya lifted the phone.
“The dispatcher has heard everything.”
Jonathan finally noticed it.
“You called 911?”
“Yes.”
Celeste's expression sharpened.
“She has completely misunderstood a private medical situation.”
Maya stepped closer to Jonathan.
“He told me the medicine makes his legs stop working.”
Jonathan looked back at the boy.
Noah's bare feet were visible now in the weak hallway light.
One foot trembled against the floor.
Jonathan's face went pale.
“Why is he barefoot?”
Celeste said nothing.
“Why is he barefoot, Celeste?”
“He removes things when he is distressed.”
“Where is his bed?”
“It was removed after he damaged it.”
“Where is the light?”
“He refused to sleep.”
Each answer sounded prepared.
That frightened Maya more than hesitation would have.
Sirens became faintly audible outside the mansion.
Celeste heard them.
Her posture changed.
The performance was beginning to fail.
She turned toward the ballroom.
“We need to move this conversation somewhere private.”
“No,” Jonathan said.
The firmness in his voice surprised everyone.
Celeste looked at him.
“No?”
Jonathan walked to the portrait and pulled it farther aside.
The hidden room opened completely.
Noah flinched at the brighter light.
Jonathan stared inside.
There was an empty plastic cup.
A thin blanket.
A plastic bucket in the corner.
And nothing else.
Jonathan's hand fell from the frame.
“What is this?”
Celeste's voice lowered.
“Jonathan, this is not the time.”
He turned toward her.
“What is this?”
Before she could answer, the dispatcher spoke through Maya's phone.
“Ma'am, officers are entering the residence now.”
The voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Celeste looked at the phone.
Then at the corridor leading toward the ballroom.
Then she made a decision.
She turned and walked quickly toward the west stairwell.
Luis stepped into her path.
“Ma'am?”
Celeste stopped.
Her eyes settled on him.
“Move.”
May you like
Luis did not.
And from the main hall came the unmistakable sound of police entering the mansion.
