The air grew noticeably colder as they left the carpeted rooms behind them.
Eleanor hurried after them, her high heels clicking frantically on the hard floor.
Eleanor: Dominic, stop right this second! You are making a huge mistake!
Dominic did not slow down his heavy steps for even one moment.
He held his phone light up to illuminate the dark wooden staircase leading down.
Dominic: If Clara is at the salon, why are you so nervous right now?
Eleanor: I am not nervous, I am just offended by your absurd lack of respect!
Harper: Down here, Daddy! Down near the old wine storage rack!
The basement of the old family estate was built out of rough grey concrete blocks.
It was a dark, quiet place that nobody ever visited during the day.
Dominic felt a sudden knot of anger growing deeper inside his stomach.
He had trusted Eleanor to help manage the family business after his father died.
He had even given her access to the main bank accounts and family credit lines.
Eleanor: The construction workers locked those back rooms weeks ago for safety reasons!
Eleanor: There is nothing down here except dust and old furniture, Dominic!
Dominic: Then why did Harper say she heard Mommy crying in the dark?
Eleanor reached out to grab Dominic's dark blue suit jacket to pull him back.
Eleanor: You are ruining this family over a child's stupid lie!
Dominic turned around quickly and pushed her arm away with firm authority.
Dominic: Do not touch me again, Eleanor.
Dominic: If my wife is behind any door in this basement, you are going to prison.
Eleanor gasped loudly and stepped back against the cold concrete wall.
She knew that Dominic was not a man who made empty threats.
Harper squeezed her father's hand tightly as they walked deeper into the cellar corridor.
Harper: It is right behind that big stone pillar, Daddy!
Dominic shine his phone light straight down the dark grey hallway.
At the very end of the hall stood a heavy steel door with a thick iron latch.
The lock was clamped tightly in place from the outside.
Dominic felt his heart pounding heavily against his ribs like a sledgehammer.
The air smelled of damp stone and old dust.
Dominic: Clara! Are you in there?!