“Bridget, we have to get out of here.” Val wondered what was going on in the rest of the house. She strained her ears for any movement in the hallway. Someone could be coming for them at any moment.

Bridget started rocking back and forth again. “No! I’ll get into trouble if I leave.”

I have to get out now. I’ll come back for her, Val rationalized. This is the only way to save both of us. Val ran to the elevator and turned the key. It began to move. Down again. Once it stopped Val opened the door and stepped out into the dark space. She rapidly ran her hands along the outside frame of the elevator and found a switch, flipping it up gave a dim glow from several overhead lights. She was definitely in a cellar. Cement walls, musty odor. Racks of shelves lined either side of the vast space. Cobwebbed items sat on them. Val pulled out the phone and tried to text again. No signal. She scanned the walls, looking for a window, a way out. Nothing.

She saw several doors, and quickly swung each open. All were storage rooms. Finally, she found a door that led to a narrow staircase. The servant’s stairs. God dammit. The only way out of this house is back in.

“Mr. Morgan, that’s our guy,” Warren said.

“That’s why we’re going to talk to him, Alex.” Gavin pulled out his car keys. “Let’s go.”

“We don’t have a subpoena.”

“No, but my search warrant for 130 Lincoln Parkway just arrived.” Gavin pulled the paper from inside his jacket pocket.

“How on earth did you get that? It’s been less than an hour since we questioned Scott Payne.”

“The Morgan twins were poisoned. They’re dead. Gabrielle wanted them exhumed to bolster her case that she had been poisoned too. She wanted custody of her sister. I feel poor Bridget is in danger. This is probable cause to investigate the premises ASAP.”

“The poisoning was fifteen years ago,” Warren said skeptically. “And there is no proof Bridget is in immediate danger.”

“Did I mention Judge Mercado is a reasonable guy?” Gavin smiled and placed the warrant back in his pocket.

Warren let out a sigh. “Mitch, this is a mistake. Give it some time and let’s do it right. It’ll mean both our jobs if we find nothing. Jesus, what do you hope to gain from this?”

“To catch the bad guy, Alex. Isn’t that what our job is all about? Don’t ever be afraid to do your job.” Gavin looked at his phone, at the number for the missed text. He had no clue who this was and put the phone away.