The new maid heard weeping beneath the mansion. Opening the heavy basement door, she found the missing wife, starved and chained. As gasps filled the dark room, the wife grabbed her hand, whispering, “Run before he hears you, or he’ll make you my replacement.” Suddenly, footsteps echoed on the stairs…
and stormed out of the library, the golden key hidden tightly in her fist.
I slumped against the mahogany shelves, my knees weak. She had the key. The one chance to open the original lock was gone. But her reaction had confirmed everything. Whatever—whoever—was behind that door was her prisoner, and the secret terrified her.
