The Woman Outside the Door
Chapter 02 - The Woman Outside the Door
Daniel placed the memory card inside his shirt pocket.
Vanessa tried the handle.
“Why is this locked?”
Lily moved behind her father.
Daniel opened the door only far enough to step into the hallway.
Vanessa wore a cream blouse, tailored black trousers, and the expression she used whenever household disorder threatened her authority.
“You were supposed to meet Dr. Keller downstairs.”
“Lily asked me to come up.”
Vanessa looked past him.
The child’s dress was zipped again.
Nothing showed.
“What did she tell you?”
Daniel studied his wife.
“Why do you need to know before I answer?”
Vanessa’s face softened instantly.
“Because she has been creating stories. Keller warned us this might happen.”
The therapist appeared at the end of the corridor carrying a leather folder. Dr. Paul Keller had treated Lily for six weeks. Daniel had never attended a complete session; Vanessa said his presence made the child perform.
Keller stopped when he saw the locked door.
“Is Lily escalating again?”
Daniel closed the door behind him.
“My daughter and I need privacy.”
Vanessa placed one hand on his arm.
“Daniel, remember what we discussed. If you reward secret behavior, you reinforce manipulation.”
He removed her hand.
“Go downstairs.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What did she show you?”
That question answered more than denial would have.
Daniel called the pediatric emergency clinic and requested a private examination.
Vanessa objected immediately.
“She saw a doctor yesterday.”
“Which doctor?”
“Keller consulted someone.”
“Keller is not a pediatrician.”
The therapist stepped forward.
“Moving her tonight could increase emotional dysregulation.”
Daniel looked at the leather folder.
“What is that?”
Keller held it closer to his body.
“A treatment update.”
Daniel took Lily’s hand and led her toward the stairs.
Vanessa blocked the path.
“For everyone’s safety, she should remain in her room.”
Lily began shaking.
Daniel’s voice became quiet.
“Move.”
Vanessa stepped aside.
May you like
As they passed, the stuffed rabbit camera chimed again from inside the bedroom.
Someone had remotely connected to it.
