Chapter 2: The Secret Beneath the Water
Marcus's fingertips touched the cold metal.
He had expected a simple drain cover.
Instead, the surface felt like the lid of a vault.
He moved one hand along its circular edge, searching for an opening. His lungs began to burn.
The metal was covered in a thin layer of algae, but beneath it, he could make out something that looked like a locking mechanism.
This wasn't ordinary pool equipment.
He pushed himself backward and kicked toward the surface.
When his head broke through the water, he gasped.
“Lily!””
His daughter stood beside the garden chair, crying.
“Daddy! You found Mommy?””
Marcus pulled himself toward the pool steps.
“Not yet, sweetheart.””
Vanessa was waiting near the edge.
Her cream dress was damp at the hem, and her face had lost its usual composure.
“Marcus, get out. You're going to hurt yourself.””
He ignored her and climbed out.
Water poured from his shirt and trousers.
“Where did you get the keys to this house?”” he asked.
Vanessa blinked.
“What?””
“The pool. Who built that metal structure underneath it?””
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“Don't lie to me.””
Vanessa glanced at Lily.
“Not in front of the child.””
“Then you should have thought about that before my daughter started screaming that her dead mother was under the water.””
Vanessa's lips tightened.
Lily tugged at his wet shirt.
“Daddy, Mommy told me not to tell.””
Marcus crouched.
“What did Mommy tell you?””
“She said I had to wait until you came home.””
“When did you see her?””
“Yesterday.””
Vanessa immediately interrupted.
“Lily, that's enough!””
The little girl flinched.
Marcus turned toward Vanessa.
“Don't raise your voice at her.””
“I am trying to help you understand that she's been having nightmares.””
“Then explain why she's talking about a metal door underneath my swimming pool.””
Vanessa said nothing.
Marcus looked at the pool again.
He could barely see the circular cover from above.
“Call emergency services,” he ordered.
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Marcus, you're overreacting.””
“Call them.””
“There's no reason to bring police into this.””
That sentence made him stop.
He stared at her.
“No reason?””
Vanessa looked away.
Marcus reached for his phone, which was lying on the patio table beside the untouched champagne.
His hands were shaking so badly that he nearly dropped it.
He called emergency services and reported a possible person trapped beneath a swimming pool.
The operator asked whether anyone had seen the person.
Marcus looked at Lily.
“My daughter says her mother is down there.””
There was a brief silence.
Then the operator asked him to remain near the pool and wait for assistance.
When he ended the call, Vanessa walked toward him.
“Marcus, please. We need to talk privately.””
“We've had eleven months to talk privately.””
“That's not fair.””
“My wife died eleven months ago.””
Vanessa swallowed.
“And you know what happened.””
“I know what you told me.””
Her face stiffened.
“What are you implying?””
Marcus looked toward the water.
“I'm starting to think I don't know anything.””
A memory flashed through his mind.
Eleanor had disappeared during a weekend trip to their country property.
According to the police report, she had left the house after an argument and never returned.
Two days later, a vehicle registered in her name had been found near a river.
There had been no body.
No confirmed sighting.
Just a handwritten note, a damaged car, and a funeral arranged by Eleanor's family.
Marcus had questioned the circumstances.
But Vanessa had been there for him.
She had brought meals.
Helped with Lily.
Sat beside him through sleepless nights.
She had even attended every meeting with the lawyers.
At the time, Marcus thought he was fortunate to have someone so devoted.
Now he wondered why she had insisted on being involved in everything.
“Vanessa,” he said quietly, “who arranged Eleanor's funeral?””
Vanessa stared at him.
“You did.””
“Who provided the death certificate?””
“The authorities.””
“Who collected her personal belongings?””
“I don't remember.””
Marcus took one step closer.
“You were there.””
Before she could answer, Lily spoke.
“Daddy?””
He turned.
The girl was looking at the pool.
“Mommy said the lady in the cream dress knows.””
Vanessa went completely still.
Marcus slowly turned his head.
“What did you say?””
Lily pointed at Vanessa.
“Mommy said she knows the door.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“She is confused, Marcus.””
Lily began crying harder.
“She told me not to trust her!””
Marcus felt something cold settle in his stomach.
“Lily, when did Mommy tell you that?””
“Last night.””
“Where?””
“In my room.””
Vanessa suddenly reached for the girl's shoulder.
Marcus moved between them.
“Don't touch her.””
“I am not going to hurt her!””
“Then explain yourself.””
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
“I loved you, Marcus. I was there when everyone else abandoned you.””
“That doesn't answer my question.””
“You have no idea what I've done for this family.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Apparently, neither do I.””
In the distance, sirens began approaching.
Vanessa heard them too.
Her expression changed.
She glanced toward the driveway, then toward the pool.
And Marcus noticed something.
She wasn't afraid that Eleanor might be trapped underneath.
She was afraid someone was about to discover what was down there.
A few minutes later, two police officers arrived with an emergency response team.
Marcus explained everything.
One officer, Sergeant Collins, listened carefully while the other checked the pool area.
“Mr. Hale,” Collins said, “you're certain your daughter saw someone?””
Marcus nodded.
“She's certain.””
Collins looked toward Lily.
“Sweetheart, can you tell me exactly where you saw your mommy?””
Lily pointed to the deepest end.
“Under the round door.””
The officer exchanged a look with his colleague.
Then he crouched and asked another question.
“Did you see her face?””
Lily nodded.
“She was looking at me.””
Marcus felt his throat tighten.
“Did she say anything?””
Lily wiped her nose with her sleeve.
“She put her hand against the glass.””
Collins slowly stood.
“Glass?””
Lily nodded again.
Vanessa turned away.
Marcus noticed.
So did the officer.
“Ma'am,” Collins said, “I'd like you to stay here.””
Vanessa forced a smile.
“Of course.””
But when the rescue team began preparing their equipment, she took a step backward.
Marcus watched her.
For the first time since he had met her, he no longer recognized the woman standing in front of him.
Then one of the divers surfaced and shouted:
“Sergeant! There's a second structure down here!””
Collins moved immediately.
“What kind of structure?””
The diver looked toward Marcus.
“Looks like an enclosed chamber.””
Marcus stared at him.
The diver continued.
“And there's something attached to the inside of the glass.””
“What?””
May you like
The diver hesitated.
“A handprint.””
