Chapter 5 - The Live Alert That Sent Him Running
Ryan had been in Portland that morning, finishing a meeting with investors who wanted to expand the resort’s waterfront dining program. His flight back to Maine had been scheduled for evening.
Then, shortly after two o’clock, his phone vibrated.
Motion detected — Family Dining Suite.
He almost ignored it.
Then it vibrated again.
Audio threshold exceeded.
He stepped out of the meeting room and opened the live feed.
At first all he saw was Emma on the sofa and Diane standing over her.
Then he heard the shouting.
Saw the drumstick.
Saw Diane spit on it.
Saw her shove it into Emma’s mouth.
He did not remember ending the feed.
He did not remember what he told his assistant.
He only remembered running.
He took the first car available, cut the meeting, and made it back to the resort faster than he should have been able to. On the drive, he replayed the clip twice. The second time, he forced himself not to look away when Lily started crying and Diane screamed at the baby to shut up.
By the time he reached the suite, he was shaking so hard he could barely hold the doorknob.
That was why he entered with his travel bag still in his hand.
That was why his face was already white with rage.
That was why, when he said, “Everything you do in this house—I already know,” he wasn’t bluffing.
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He had seen enough.
What he didn’t yet know was how much worse it would get once he pulled the stored footage.
