The bright morning sunlight streamed straight through the living room windows of the quiet home.
An American flag hung neatly on the main wall above the fireplace mantle piece.
Mark walked inside after working a long morning shift at the local fire station.
He expected a peaceful afternoon with his wife Sarah and young daughter Lily.
Instead, he heard heated voices echoing down the quiet hallway of the residence.
Sarah stood near a large wooden cupboard tucked into the far corner alcove.
Lily backed away slowly with tears welling up in her large blue eyes.
Mark: Why is everyone standing around shouting in the middle of the day?
Sarah: Lily refused to finish her lunch and threw a huge temper tantrum.
Lily: That is not true at all, Daddy!
Lily: She tried to push me toward that heavy cabinet in the wall!
Mark looked closely at his small seven-year-old daughter with deep concern and care.
Mark: Why would your mother move you toward the wooden cabinet, sweetie?
Lily: Because there is a secret door behind it that she keeps locked!
Sarah laughed quickly, but her voice sounded nervous and strangely strained to Mark.
Sarah: Children have such wild imaginations when they play during the daytime hours.
Mark: You look completely pale right now, Sarah.
Sarah: I am just tired from taking care of the house all morning.
Mark walked slowly across the polished hardwood floor toward the corner cupboard.
He had lived in this suburban home for over six years with Sarah.
He had never suspected that anything unusual sat behind that solid piece of furniture.
Lily: She hides papers behind there whenever the mail truck drives down our street!
Mark: Is there something behind this cabinet that I should know about, Sarah?
Sarah: Please do not listen to a child who is upset over lunch.
Mark placed his large hands firmly against the side frame of the heavy unit.
He took a deep breath and prepared to slide the heavy cabinet aside.