Claire filled the deep porcelain tub upstairs with warm water.
She splashed a few drops onto her wrist to check the heat.
Yet a strange feeling of deep fear suddenly settled inside her chest.
The quiet upper hallway felt far too still and unnaturally silent.
She stopped turning the brass faucet and listened very carefully.
She could hear the faint sound of running water somewhere downstairs.
That sound made no sense because no taps were left on below.
Claire walked out of the bright bathroom without taking her planned bath.
Her heavy footsteps echoed softly against the hard wooden hallway floor.
She reached the top of the grand staircase and looked straight down.
The living room was completely empty and the crib stood open.
Claire: Victoria, where did you take the baby?
No answer came from the large white foyer down below her.
Claire rushed quickly down the polished steps while holding the railing.
Her heart beat very fast against her ribs as panic rose.
She searched the high-ceilinged kitchen and the private quiet office rooms.
Neither Victoria nor the little baby were anywhere inside those spaces.
Claire noticed that the heavy front doors were slightly standing open.
Outside on the paved driveway, a police cruiser was slowly pulling up.
Ethan had sent an officer to drop off some important trust fund papers.
Claire ran out onto the bright porch and waved her arms wildly.
Claire: Officer, please help me right now!
Officer: What is wrong, ma'am?
Claire: My baby was in his crib, but now he is gone!
The police officer stepped quickly out of the black patrol car.
He held his leather belt firmly as he followed Claire back inside.
They heard a sharp splashing noise coming from the back sunroom.
The large sunroom housed a massive glass aquarium filled with clear water.
Ethan had installed the giant custom tank just a few weeks ago.
Claire sprinted toward the sunroom doors with the officer close behind.
Her stomach churned with terror as she pushed the heavy doors open.
The bright daylight streamed through the high glass ceiling above them.
Victoria was standing right beside the tall glass aquarium tank.
She wore a dark green sequined gown that glittered under the light.
Her cold hands were resting flat against the thick glass top.
Inside the tank, a tiny shape was struggling underwater.
Claire screamed aloud as she recognized her baby's tiny blue clothes.