The afternoon sun glared across the sprawling foyer of the Austin estate, highlighting the deep gray veins in the white marble floor.

Seven-year-old Lily sank her small knees into the cold stone, her fingers trembling as she pointed toward the seam near the grand staircase.

Evelyn: Shut your mouth right now, you little brat!

Lily: No! Mommy is down there! She is crying!

Evelyn: One more word from you and I will lock you outside with the stray dogs. Do you hear me?

Lily: Daddy will be home soon! He will make you let her out!

Evelyn took two sharp steps forward, the gold silk of her designer gown rustling as she raised her hand.

Evelyn: Your daddy thinks your mommy ran off to California with another man. That is what he believes, and that is what the police believe.

Lily: You lied to him! You lied to everybody!

Evelyn: Who do you think he trusts? A hysterical seven-year-old or his new fiancée who manages his entire estate?

Lily wiped her wet cheeks with the sleeve of her white dress, her chest heaving as muffled scratching echoed beneath the floorboards.

Lily: Mommy, can you hear me? Mommy, don't sleep!

Evelyn: Get away from that latch before I drag you to your room by your hair!

Lily: Daddy, help! Mommy is trapped under the floor!

Evelyn grabbed the girl by the wrist, squeezing until Lily let out a sharp cry of pain.

Evelyn: Keep screaming. No one is coming down that private drive today.

Heavy tires screeched against the gravel courtyard outside, followed by the violent slam of a heavy truck door.

Lily: Daddy!

Evelyn: Be quiet! Get upstairs right now!

The ornate double doors flew open with a deafening crash, echoing through the empty sixty-foot rotunda.