Chapter 3 - The Trap is SetThe drive back to our house was filled with an agonizingly cheerful atmosphere that made my skin crawl.
Meredith chattered endlessly about how well Chloe played, while Richard and Helen followed closely behind us in their luxury sedan, having agreed to stop by our house for a quick celebratory slice of cake.
"They'll only stay for twenty minutes," Meredith said as we pulled into our driveway. "Helen brought those lemon bars your dad loves."
"Great," I muttered, turning off the engine. "Let them in. I need to check something in the garage real quick."
"Don't take too long, Harrison. We want to take family photos with Chloe's ribbon."
"I won't."
I stepped out into the cool evening air, letting the damp breeze hit my face. My hands were shaking, not from fear, but from a cold, calculating rage. I walked into the garage, flicked on the overhead light, and bypassed the toolbox. Instead, my eyes locked onto my heavy-duty zip ties, a crowbar, and—crucially—my dashcam memory card reader and a small voice recorder I used for tracking contractor notes.
I slipped the recorder into my inner jacket pocket, setting it to continuous record. If Richard was going to confess or try to gaslight me, I needed ironclad proof that even the best defense lawyers in the state couldn't dismantle.
When I walked back inside, the living room was already buzzing with activity.
Helen was cutting the cake in the kitchen, laughing with Meredith. Chloe was sitting quietly on the living room sofa, clutching a small stuffed bear Richard had handed her.
And Richard was standing by the bookshelf, examining an antique clock we kept on the mantel.
"Ah, Harrison!" Richard turned around, flashing that warm, avuncular smile that had fooled entire school districts for decades. "Magnificent performance tonight. That girl of yours has serious talent. Reminds me of you when you were ten."
"Thanks, Dad," I said, keeping my distance, watching him like a hawk watches a wounded rabbit. "Hey, can you help me with something in the garage? I think one of the storage boxes shifted and I need an extra pair of hands before it collapses."
Richard hesitated for a fraction of a second, his eyes narrowing slightly before the warm facade slipped right back into place. "Of course, son. Lead the way."
May you like
As we walked out toward the dimly lit garage, the heavy wooden door clicked shut behind us, cutting off the sound of laughter and music from the kitchen.
We were completely alone.
