Chapter 8 — Caleb questions the recent visitor log — Until a text message arrives on the recovered phone from a familiar contact
Caleb backed away from the wall-mounted security tablet in the hallway.
He paced slowly across the hardwood floor toward the living room entrance.
Evelyn remained frozen by the glowing screen.
Her thoughts raced through every possible scenario involving the disabled camera feed.
She turned her head to look back toward the center of the room.
Chloe was still sitting quietly on the rug in her bright yellow hoodie.
The little girl had finally stopped crying, but she looked exhausted and confused.
Caleb reached into his pocket and pulled out Evelyn’s recovered smartphone.
The screen remained locked.
Then the device vibrated sharply against his palm.
A bright notification banner slid down from the top of the display.
An incoming text message lit up the dark glass.
Caleb stopped walking and stared down at the glowing letters.
Did you find your device yet? I wanted to make sure you were paying attention.
Evelyn hurried over from the hallway and peered over his shoulder.
Her eyes scanned the words on the screen.
Who sent that? she whispered.
Caleb tapped the sender ID icon on the top of the message window.
The phone unlocked instantly using face recognition.
The contact name associated with the number popped up on the screen.
It matched the phone number of a local home contractor who had been working inside the house earlier that morning.
Evelyn stared at the name in absolute disbelief.
The contractor had left the property less than an hour before her phone vanished.
Caleb dialed the sender’s number immediately.
The line rang three times before going straight to a recorded voicemail greeting.
He lowered the phone slowly, his jaw set.
He walked over to the kitchen counter near the refrigerator.
Resting right beside the coffee maker was a printed paper receipt left behind from the morning service call.