Part 2: The Secret Beneath the Sofa
Part 2: The Secret Beneath the Sofa
For several long seconds, no one moved.
The little girl clung to her father's leg, still crying.
"Daddy..."
She pointed again.
"He's always there when you travel."
The stranger slowly crawled out from the hidden compartment beneath the oversized sectional.
He kept his hands raised.
"I can explain."
The father never took his eyes off him.
"I suggest you do."
His wife, Melissa, staggered backward until she reached the wall.
Her face had lost every trace of color.
"It's not what you think."
The father looked at the concealed space beneath the sofa.
It wasn't an accident.
The compartment had been professionally built.
Large enough for an adult.
Hidden so carefully that no guest would ever notice it.
He turned back toward the stranger.
"Who are you?"
The man swallowed.
"My name is Aaron."
"And why are you hiding inside my house?"
Aaron looked briefly toward Melissa before lowering his head.
"I work for a private investigation firm."
The room became even quieter.
"What?"
Aaron reached slowly into his jacket and removed an identification card.
"I wasn't here to steal."
"I was hired."
The father's expression hardened.
"By whom?"
Aaron hesitated.
Then answered.
"Your wife."
Melissa closed her eyes.
"No..."
Aaron continued quietly.
"She believed someone was entering the house while you were away."
"She wanted proof."
"So she hired my agency to conduct surveillance from inside the home."
The father frowned.
"Then why hide from me?"
"Because Mrs. Carter told us she wanted to investigate privately until she had evidence."
He paused.
"She planned to tell you afterward."
May you like
The father's anger gave way to confusion.
"What exactly were you investigating?"
