David: What did you just say, Maya?
David dropped to his knees, taking his daughter by her shaking shoulders as police officers held a struggling Evelyn against the wall.
Maya: Mommy... she’s behind the wall. I heard the knocking again today, Dad.
Evelyn: She’s lying! The child is delusional! Officer, arrest this man for assaulting me in my home!
Officer Miller stepped between Evelyn and David, his flashlight beam shining directly on the freshly damaged drywall near the staircase baseboard.
Officer Miller: Ma'am, keep quiet. Sir, does your daughter often make statements like this?
David: Never. My wife disappeared three years ago without a trace. The police investigation said she abandoned our family trust fund and fled the country.
Liam: It’s true, Dad! Evelyn has been keeping this hallway locked every night! She told us if we came down here, she’d send us away to a juvenile facility!
Evelyn: They’re combining their wild imaginations! David, tell them to leave! We have an estate to manage and a mortgage to pay!
David walked slowly toward the wall, his hand hovering over the jagged hole Maya had pointed out. A cold breeze seemed to drift through the small opening in the plaster.
David: Evelyn, why is there a draft coming from inside a load-bearing wall?
Evelyn: It’s an old house! The insulation is rotting!
Officer Miller: Hand me the crowbar from the cruiser, Jackson. We’re taking a look inside.
Evelyn: You don't have a warrant! You can't destroy my property!
David: This is MY house, Evelyn. My name is on the deed, and my wife's name is on the life insurance policy you tried to collect last year.
The second officer returned with a heavy iron crowbar and handed it to Officer Miller. The atmosphere in the hallway turned thick with dread as the metal tool bit into the plasterwork.
Officer Miller: Stand back, kids.
Liam: Dad, don't let her go!
David: She isn't going anywhere, Liam.
With a loud crunching sound, the drywall gave way, peeling back layers of old floral wallpaper to reveal a hollow dark space behind the structural support beams. Officer Miller shined his heavy flashlight into the dark void.
Officer Miller: What the... clear the room right now!
David: What is it?! What's in there?!
Officer Miller: Sir, step back! Call the forensic unit immediately!
David pushed past the officer, flashing his phone’s light into the opened cavity. His voice caught in his throat as his eyes widened in sheer horror.
David: Oh God... Sarah?
Evelyn: You were never supposed to come home early from your trip, David...
Liam: Dad, what is it?! Is Mom in there?!
David: Officer, check her pulse! She’s moving!
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