David walked slowly toward a massive portrait on the wooden wall.
The painted portrait showed the old founder of the family business.
Two large American flags hung neatly on both sides of it.
David leaned his ear close to the heavy carved wooden frame.
A tiny sob came from behind the thick canvas oil painting.
David: Shut up, everyone quiet down right now!
The room went completely silent as guests held their breath in surprise.
David reached his trembling hands out to the outer portrait frame.
His fingers searched along the polished edges of the dark wood paneling.
He felt a small cold metallic latch hidden right near the corner.
He slid the brass bolt back with a sharp clicking sound.
The entire heavy painting swung open slowly like a secret door.
Inside was a tiny dark compartment built into the hollow wall.
A little girl sat on the cold floor in the dark.
Her clean white dress was stained with thick black dust particles.
Tears were running down her red cheeks in the dim light.
Lilly: Daddy, they locked me in here!
David reached into the dark space with two strong loving arms.
He pulled his trembling daughter out into his warm tight chest.
Lilly buried her small face into his neck and cried loudly.
David held her head softly while his whole body shook madly.
The crowd of guests gathered around with shocked looks on faces.
Whispers spread through the big room like wildfire across dry grass.
David looked down into his daughter's frightened brown eyes.
David: Who put you in there, my little angel?
Lilly: The mean auntie said it was a dark playhouse.
David felt a surge of hot rage fill his cold chest.
He stood up straight while holding his small child tightly.
He turned his angry gaze straight toward his sister-in-law Victoria.