Chapter 2 — Paul Enters the Kitchen — Confronts the Crying Boy and the Angry Elder
Paul crossed the kitchen floor with a measured stride.
He stepped directly between his father and his weeping son.
Rusty, the family golden retriever, sat quietly near the kitchen island.
The big dog blinked slowly, watching the commotion unfold with an entirely blank expression.
Dad, what is going on in here, Paul asked, keeping his voice calm and steady.
He looked down at Toby, who was still trembling.
Look at what your son did, George said, gesturing sharply toward the brown kibble scattered across the hardwood.
He knocked over the container and now he refuses to own up to it.
I didn’t do it, Papa, Toby pleaded, looking directly up into his father’s eyes.
I was in the living room the whole time.
Paul listened to his son without interrupting.
He knew Toby rarely lied, especially when he was this genuinely upset.
At the same time, George looked completely convinced of the boy’s guilt.
George reiterated his firm belief that Toby must have pulled the heavy plastic container down from the shelf.
He pointed a finger toward the pantry area again.
Things don’t just fall off shelves by themselves, Paul, George insisted.
Paul nodded slowly, acknowledging his father’s frustration.
Instead of arguing, Paul lowered his gaze to the floor near the base of the lower pantry cabinets.
He crouched down to get a better look at the wooden panels.
That was when Paul noticed something unusual etched into the lower white paint of the cabinet door.