Arthur stood on the wide porch of his grand white estate while holding a lukewarm cup of morning coffee.
The American flag fluttered gently in the breeze near the grand front entrance of the mansion.
He looked across the bright green lawn searching for his seven-year-old daughter named Lily.
Lily usually spent her sunny mornings running through the grass near the edge of the property.
However, the afternoon had turned unusually quiet across the expansive family estate.
Arthur set his coffee cup down on the wooden patio table with a quiet thud.
He walked toward the center of the yard while calling out his daughter's name clearly.
No answer came from the colorful flower beds or the shadow of the large oak trees.
His heart rate began to pick up speed as an uneasy feeling took over his mind.
He noticed his mother-in-law Evelyn walking slowly along the edge of the historic stone garden wall.
Evelyn wore her usual burgundy buttoned cardigan despite the warm afternoon temperature.
Her hands were tucked deep into her sweater pockets as she looked around the property nervously.
Arthur had always treated Evelyn with absolute respect since his wife passed away three years ago.
Evelyn moved into the mansion to help manage the household and care for young Lily full time.
Yet her attitude toward the family business and inheritance had grown colder over recent months.
Arthur adjusted his white dress shirt and walked briskly over to the stone walkway near Evelyn.
Arthur: Evelyn, have you seen Lily in the last few minutes?
Evelyn: She is fine, Arthur.
Evelyn did not turn her face around to look Arthur directly in the eyes.
Evelyn: She went down toward the lower driveway to look for her misplaced stuffed toy.
Arthur: I just came from the lower driveway a minute ago.
Arthur narrowed his eyes as he stepped closer to the older woman.
Arthur: Why are your hands trembling so much right now?
Evelyn: I am simply chilly from the sudden breeze near the lawn.
Arthur noticed a heavy antique iron key protruding slightly from Evelyn's cardigan pocket.
That specific brass key belonged to the heavy wooden door of the old stone garden structure.
The structure sat isolated at the very edge of the deep back lawn near the property line.
Arthur: Why do you have the key to the garden cottage out here?
Evelyn: That is none of your business, Arthur.
Evelyn quickly turned her back to him and began walking toward the main driveway entrance.
A faint voice echoed faintly from the direction of the distant stone cottage structure.
Arthur froze in place as the high-pitched sound reached his ears across the open lawn.
Arthur: Did you lock that door from the outside, Evelyn?
Evelyn: You are imagining things because you are tired from work.
Arthur stepped directly into Evelyn's path and stared straight into her eyes.
Arthur: Hand me that heavy brass key right now!