The Locked Closet

Part 2 — “Grandpa, Don’t Open It.”

The doorknob turned again.

I tightened my grip around Lily.

“Grandpa,” she whispered.

“I’m here.”

“Please don’t.”

The dispatcher was still on the phone.

“Sir, are you still inside the residence?”

“Yes.”

“Do not enter any unsafe area. Police and paramedics are on their way.”

I stared at the closet.

Another knock.

This time, three quick taps.

I knew that pattern.

Mason used to knock three times whenever he wanted Lily to know he was nearby.

“Mason?” I called.

There was silence.

Then a tiny voice answered.

“Grandpa?”

My heart nearly stopped.

“I’m here.”

“Don’t let Mom take Lily.”

I looked at Lily.

Her eyes opened slightly.

“She did this?”

Lily shook her head weakly.

“Not Mom.”

A cold feeling moved through me.

“Who?”

She whispered one word.

“Dad.”

Before I could ask anything else, the closet door rattled violently.

“Grandpa, please!”

I set Lily carefully against the wall and grabbed the handle.

The door was locked.

From the outside.

I looked down.

There was a small brass padlock hanging from the hasp.

My hands began shaking.

I pulled out my pocketknife.

The dispatcher heard the noise.

“What are you doing, sir?”

“My grandson is locked inside.”

“Wait for officers.”

“I can’t.”

I wedged the knife beneath the latch and forced it upward.

The metal snapped.

The door flew open.

Mason fell forward.

I caught him before he hit the floor.

He was barefoot.

His wrists were red.

His face was wet with tears.

He wrapped both arms around my neck.

“Grandpa!”

“I’ve got you.”

He was shaking so badly I could barely hold him.

“Are you hurt?”

He nodded.

“Where?”

“My head.”

I carried him toward Lily.

The two children clung to each other.

Then Mason looked at the kitchen.

“Grandpa…”

“What?”

“There’s another bottle.”

“Where?”

He pointed toward the counter.

“Dad gave Lily the medicine.”

I looked at him.

“Why?”

Mason swallowed.

“Because she saw him.”

“Saw him doing what?”

Mason’s eyes moved toward the front door.

“He was putting something in Mom’s suitcase.”

My blood ran cold.

Part 3 — The Missing Suitcase

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