Arthur knelt down immediately on the cold marble floor beside his weeping toddler daughter.
He wrapped his strong arms around Lily and pulled her close against his navy blue suit jacket.
Arthur: It is okay sweetie, Daddy is right here with you now.
Lily: Daddy please help her, she is trapped in the dark floor!
Arthur felt a cold shiver run down his spine as he looked at the metal wall grate.
Victoria stepped closer and tried to grab Lily's small arm to pull her away completely.
Victoria: Stop talking nonsense and come to the kitchen for your lunch right now Lily.
Arthur: Do not touch her Victoria.
Arthur's voice was low and filled with a sharp dangerous tone she had never heard before.
Victoria pulled her hand back quickly and took one step back onto the polished white marble.
Arthur lowered his head close to the metal slats of the low heating vent on the wall.
He pressed his ear against the cold steel frame and listened with all of his focus.
At first he heard only the quiet hum of the central home air system blowing through pipes.
Then he heard a soft wet cough coming from deep down inside the dark structural wall shaft.
Voice: Help me... please... it is cold down here.
The voice was tiny and raspy but it was unquestionably the voice of a real living child.
Arthur felt his head spin with deep horror as memories flashed through his frantic mind.
Two years ago Victoria told him that his eldest daughter Maya had passed away from sickness.
Victoria had handled all the medical paperwork and private arrangements while Arthur was overwhelmed with grief.
Arthur had trusted his wife completely and never questioned the terrible loss that broke his heart.
Now listening to that weak tiny voice in the floor shaft his soul filled with terrible panic.
Arthur: Maya? Is that you down there Maya?
Voice: Daddy? I am hungry Daddy.
Arthur stood up so fast that his heavy navy suit jacket swung violently around his frame.
His face was pale with utter shock and his eyes burned with explosive anger toward Victoria.
Victoria backed away toward the front living room with panic clearly showing in her brown eyes.
Arthur: You lied to me about my daughter's life for two whole years!
Victoria: Arthur listen to me, you do not understand what you are hearing right now!
Arthur: You locked my child underneath this house like an animal!
He stepped toward her with demanding fury as the entire truth began to break open wide.