CHAPTER 5 — THE SECOND FOOTPRINT
CHAPTER 5 — THE SECOND FOOTPRINT
David rushed back to the glass roof.
The police had already sealed off the area.
One detective crouched beside the wet glass.
"Sir..."
"You need to see this."
David stepped closer.
There...
Beside Ethan's tiny barefoot prints...
Was another footprint.
Large.
Fresh.
A man's shoe.
Not Claire's.
The detective frowned.
"Someone else was up here."
David's heartbeat quickened.
"Can you identify it?"
"We're trying."
A voice answered from behind.
"You won't."
Claire.
She stood behind the yellow police tape, calm as ever.
"The rain washed everything away."
David turned sharply.
"You knew."
Claire shrugged.
"I know how rain works."
The detective looked between them.
"Mrs. Carter..."
"Were you alone with Ethan?"
Claire smiled.
"No."
David's eyes narrowed.
For the first time...
She hadn't denied it.
"So who was there?"
Claire met his gaze.
"I've been waiting..."
"...for you to ask the right question."
David took another step.
"Who?"
Claire's smile slowly faded.
"The man Ethan calls..."
"...'Uncle.'"
Silence.
David blinked.
"Ethan doesn't have an uncle."
Claire whispered,
"That's what you believe."
Then she walked away.
Behind the police tape...
Ethan stared at the mysterious footprint.
His tiny face turned pale.
He recognized it.
May you like
But he was too afraid...
...to say the name.
