Arthur finished his corporate business meeting two days earlier than he originally planned for his team.
He missed his beloved children dearly and wanted to surprise them with fresh gifts from his trip.
He drove his black luxury sedan up the winding driveway toward the massive suburban family home.
The lights inside the house seemed unusually dim as he parked near the heavy front double doors.
Arthur grabbed his heavy leather briefcase and stepped out into the crisp, chilling evening air outside.
He unlocked the large front entrance door with his shiny silver master house key very quietly.
As soon as he stepped inside the foyer, he heard sharp shouting echoing down the hallway floor.
Arthur set his heavy briefcase down instantly on the entry table and quickened his steady pace forward.
He rushed down the long corridor and saw Victoria standing aggressively over little Emily in anger.
Arthur: Emily!
Arthur: What happened to you right here?
Emily looked up at her father with wide, tear-filled eyes as her tiny shoulders shook rapidly.
Arthur dropped straight to his knees on the cold floor and wrapped his strong arms around her.
Emily: Daddy, you are finally back home!
Emily: Brother is locked inside the wall room!
Arthur felt a terrible chill run down his back as he looked up sharply toward Victoria's pale face.
Arthur: What is she talking about, Victoria?
Arthur: Where is my son Toby right now?
Victoria tried to force a calm, warm smile, but her trembling hands betrayed her deep internal panic.
Victoria: She is just making up stories, darling.
Victoria: You know how dramatic young children get when you leave them home with a stepmother.
Emily pulled on her father's crisp dark suit jacket and pointed urgently toward the low metal vent.
Emily: He is starving inside there, Daddy!
Emily: Victoria locked the heavy iron door and took the master key away from us three days ago!
Arthur's jaw clenched tightly as real fury filled his chest for the very first time today.
He stood up slowly from the floor and glared directly into Victoria's fearful, wide eyes.
Arthur: Give me the key to that door immediately.
Arthur: Do not make me ask you a second time!
Victoria took two quick steps backward, clutching her designer handbag close against her shiny burgundy dress.
Victoria: Arthur, please listen to me first!
Victoria: He was misbehaving terribly while you were away on your important business trip!
Arthur did not wait to hear another word from her lying mouth in that dark hallway.
He marched straight toward the heavy wooden door that led into the locked internal utility room space.
Toby's faint voice called out from behind the thick wood, making Arthur's heart break instantly into pieces.
The truth was finally coming out, and no lie could save Victoria from what was coming next.