Chapter 6 CHAPTER SIX

Theo could think of possibilities. Run. Fight. Talk his way out. None of them appeared to be feasible since Victor was standing at the sole entrance.

The light of the beam fell over the basement, systematic and searching.

"I know you're down here, Theo." Victor's voice was ice. “The back door to the basement was open. Careless of you."

Theo leaned himself against the wall by the concealed entrance, with the phone in his perspiring palm. The photos. He had the photos.

Victor's footsteps echoed through the main basement. "Come out let’s talk like sensible gentlemen.”

Theo held his breath. He could see the shadow of Victor stalking through the concrete floor through the secret door, and peeking behind furniture, round boxes.

“You have been acting strange lately,” Victor said now in a conversational mode. "Distracted. Catherine noticed. Even Elena mentioned it."

The shadow stood still over the steamer trunks moved by Theo.

Theo's heart hammered. He had shoved them aside, displaced them. Victor would see.

“I know what curiosity is.” Victor said. “There are a good many rooms, there are a good many stories in this old house. But there are doors that are locked, Theo, that are meant to stay locked.”

The shadow was getting nearer to the concealed door.

It was a decision made within seconds by Theo. He could not be locked up in such room. Not with what he knew.

He stepped out through the hidden door into the main basement.

Victor turned, and Theo was blinded with the flashlight.

"There you are." In the glare of the bright light Victor face could not be read. "What were you doing down here?"

Theo held up his hand in response. "I heard noises. Came to investigate."

"Noises." Victor's tone was flat. "At midnight. In a locked basement."

“When I came in the door was open” Theo lied. "I thought someone broke in."

Victor moved forward, his costly shoes making no sound on concrete. "You're lying. But then, reporters are not honest, are they? When it interests their story.”

"I'm not a journalist anymore." Theo replied.

"No?" Victor's smile was cold. “Then why are you still behaving like one? Observing, hearing, taking notes in mind. You think I haven't noticed?"

Theo swallowed. "I don't know what you mean."

"Don't insult my intelligence." Victor went over to the steamer trunks, which were out of place. "You've been snooping. What was the length of your knowledge about this room?”

"There's no room. Just old storage." Theo replied.

Victor was long silent on his part. Then he went beyond the trunks and pushed the concealed door wide open. The secret room was unlocked and the contents of it could be seen in the spill of light.

“Just storage, Theo? Just storage.” Victor said. "Of course."

Theo clenched his hand on his phone in his pocket. Victor was not aware of the photos. Not yet.

“My father used to be a sentimental man," Victor said and waved his hand toward the room. "Kept records of everything. His business affairs, his errors, his regrets.” He turned back to Theo. "Did you read any of it?"

"I just discovered it. You arrived before I could" Theo replied with fear in his eyes.

"Stop." Victor held up a hand. "We both know you're lying. What did you see, asked the question? But rather more to the point, what are you going to do with that information?”

Theo stood straighter. Three years of having been handled like trash, and now Victor wanted to compromise. "I saw enough."

"Enough to what? Go to the authorities?" Victor laughed. "With what evidence? Your word against mine? You are a worthless reporter on my charity. Who would believe you?"

"The documents would disappear. This room would disappear. I have swept larger issues out of existence.”

The threat hung in the air between them.

Theo thought of his uncle. Problem solved. Body dumped.

“You killed Michael Callahan, you killed him, my uncle. Due to the knowledge of the Riverside fire.”

Victor did not change his expression. “I do not know what you are talking about.”

"The files are right there. Your notes. 'Problem solved.'"

"Files can be misinterpreted. Out-of-Context Old papers.” Victor moved closer. "Let me be clear, Theo. You are at risky position. You accuse me and I will ruin you. Not only your reputation this time. Everything."

“You have ruined my reputation already.” Theo said.

“Hartford killed your reputation. I simply didn't intervene. But I can do worse. Much worse." Victor had dead eyes and no emotion. “Or, we may make a compromise.”

Theo's stomach turned. "What kind of arrangement?"

“You remember nothing that you saw tonight. Forget this room exists. In return, I'll give you money. Well enough to begin all over with in some distant place. A new city, a new life." Victor said.

“You are trying to buy my silence.” Theo gaining confidence to challenge him.

"I'm offering you a future. Take it or leave it. But when you remain in this house, when you follow this, you will not like the way it will end.” Victor replied angrily.

Theo met Victor's cold gaze. He thought about the images in his phone. The evidence that was safely in his pocket.

“I must have time to think” Theo said.

"You have until morning. Come to my study at eight. Give me your decision." Victor walked towards the stairs, and stood still. "And Theo? You will make a good choice; that is, in case you are clever. My father was a bad example, and I do not repeat it. I am more effective in problem solving.”

Victor walked down the stairs leaving Theo alone in the basement with the hidden room and its horrible secrets.

Theo waited till the footsteps were heard no more. He then reached into his pocket and looked at the pictures. All there. Clear. Damning.

Three years ago, he had walked into this house a broken and desperate man.

He had just left this basement with a piece of evidence that could break the Whitmores.

Victor believed he was giving him an option.

But his decision had been made up at the moment he had seen the name of his uncle in those files.

This wasn't about money. This was about justice.

And Theo Callahan was not going to remain invisible.