Chapter 7: The Man Next Door
David drove home without saying a word.
Jasmine sat beside him, holding the photograph.
She kept looking at the man's face.
She knew him.
She was certain.
But she couldn't place him.
“Dad,” she said, “who is he?””
“I don't know.””
“You've seen him before.””
“I have.””
“Where?””
David tightened his hands around the steering wheel.
“That's what scares me.””
They pulled into the driveway.
The house looked exactly as it always had.
White columns.
Black shutters.
The old oak tree near the front gate.
Nothing looked wrong.
And yet Jasmine felt as if the entire property had become unfamiliar.
Jessica was already inside.
She stood in the hallway when they entered.
David held up the photograph.
“Tell me everything.””
Jessica shook her head.
“Not here.””
“Why?””
“Because I don't know who is listening.””
Jasmine frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Jessica looked toward the ceiling.
“Your house has cameras.””
“So?””
“Somebody installed one in the study.””
David's face changed.
“When?””
“I don't know.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Jessica lowered her eyes.
“Because I was afraid.””
David walked straight toward the study.
He opened the door.
The room looked untouched.
Bookshelves.
Desk.
Leather chair.
Family photographs.
He ran his hand along the wall.
“Where?””
Jessica pointed toward a smoke detector.
“There.””
David climbed onto a chair.
He removed the detector.
Behind it was a tiny black camera.
Jasmine stared.
“Oh my God.””
David carefully pulled it free.
“Who installed this?””
Jessica whispered, “I think I know.””
David looked at her.
“Who?””
Before she could answer, the doorbell rang.
Everyone froze.
Jasmine looked through the window.
A man stood outside.
Gray coat.
Black umbrella.
Silver hair.
Her father stared at him.
Then whispered:
“Ethan.””
Jasmine turned.
“Who is Ethan?””
David didn't answer.
He opened the door.
The man smiled.
“David.””
David's face was expressionless.
“What are you doing here?””
Ethan glanced toward Jasmine.
“I heard there had been trouble.””
“How?””
Ethan smiled.
“People talk.””
Jessica appeared behind David.
Ethan looked at her.
“You told him?””
Jessica said nothing.
David stepped outside.
“You've been watching my house.””
Ethan's smile disappeared.
“I think you're confused.””
“Then why is there a camera in my study?””
Ethan's eyes moved toward the hallway.
For half a second, his expression betrayed him.
Then he recovered.
“I don't know anything about that.””
David stepped closer.
“You're lying.””
Ethan sighed.
“You always were stubborn.””
Jasmine felt the hairs rise on her arms.
“Dad?””
David didn't take his eyes off Ethan.
“Go inside.””
“No.””
“Jasmine.””
She stayed.
Ethan looked at her.
“You're just like your mother.””
Jasmine's blood ran cold.
“How do you know my mother?””
Ethan smiled faintly.
“I knew her very well.””
David grabbed his coat.
“You're leaving.””
Ethan didn't move.
“David, if you want your daughter safe, you should listen carefully.””
Jasmine stared at him.
“What did you say?””
Ethan's eyes hardened.
“The trust was never meant to protect you.””
David stepped forward.
“What did you do with it?””
“Nothing.””
“Then why are you here?””
“Because someone else is looking for it.””
“Who?””
Ethan looked toward the road.
A black SUV had stopped across the street.
The windows were tinted.
Ethan whispered:
“That's the person you should be worried about.””
David turned.
The SUV began moving.
He watched it disappear around the corner.
When he turned back, Ethan was gone.
Jasmine looked at the empty porch.
“How did he leave?””
David frowned.
“He was standing right here.””
Jessica suddenly screamed from inside.
David and Jasmine ran into the house.
Jessica stood in the study holding the camera.
Her hands were shaking.
“It's gone.””
David looked around.
“What?””
“The memory card.””
Jasmine stared at her.
“Someone removed it?””
Jessica nodded.
“But the camera was still here.””
David's phone rang.
He answered.
Martin's voice came through.
“David, you need to get to First National immediately.””
“Why?””
“Locker 317 was accessed this morning.””
David's face tightened.
“By whom?””
Martin paused.
Then said:
“Your wife's signature was used to open it.””
Jasmine whispered, “But Mom is dead.””
“I know.””
David grabbed his keys.
“I'm going to the bank.””
Jessica stepped forward.
“David, don't.””
He turned.
“Why?””
Jessica's voice trembled.
“Because whoever opened that locker knew exactly what was inside.””
“What?””
Jessica swallowed.
“The original trust.””
David stared at her.
“And something else.””
“What?””
May you like
Jessica looked at Jasmine.
“Your mother's final letter.””
