Chapter 4 - The Post That Broke the Family

I placed the silver voice recorder onto the middle of the table, right between the caviar appetizer and the champagne bucket. I pressed the silver playback button and turned the volume dial to maximum.

Through the small speaker, Claire's harsh, impatient voice echoed with chilling clarity:

"Stop whining, Lily! You're ruining my schedule. Stay in this seat and don't make a sound. If you touch the door handle, the alarm will ring and the police will put your mommy in jail. Do you understand me?"

Then came the sound of the car door slamming shut, followed by the electronic beep of the central lock engagement. Then Lily's small, trembling whimper: "Mommy... please come find me..."