'Father probably never guessed anyone would enter his room,' Madelyn thought. She noticed shoes beneath the door and the sound of approaching footsteps. Hurrying, she sat in her father's chair and accidentally hurt herself. Wincing from the pain, she tried to stay still as Zach walked in.

Zach came in with his clothes speckled with water droplets and closed the door. "Did Dal wake you?"

Madelyn looked down. Dalton was not crying anymore, but his little face was flushed, and he gave a small cough.

"Let me hold him. Your hand is still injured."

Madelyn tightened her grip on Dalton. "Why do you smell like gas? What happened?"

Zach replied, "My car broke down on my way back. I fixed it. I'm going to hop in the shower now."

"Okay."

As Zach walked off, a nagging feeling told Madelyn he was hiding something. Once she was certain he was upstairs, she placed Dalton gently on the comfy couch. She hit a switch under the desk, and moments later, a shelf with an antique figurine started to s