Chapter 3 — The Neighbor's Secret
The next morning, Detective Sarah Collins arrived at the hospital.
Jake handed her every security recording.
She watched quietly.
Then asked one unexpected question.
"Do you know your downstairs neighbor?"
Jake frowned.
"Mr. Alvarez?"
Sarah nodded.
"He came to the station this morning."
Jake couldn't understand why.
Until Mr. Alvarez walked into Megan's hospital room.
The elderly man removed his cap.
"I'm sorry I stayed quiet."
He pulled a flash drive from his pocket.
"My doorbell camera faces your apartment."
Jake looked confused.
Mr. Alvarez continued.
"I've watched your mother come and go for months."
"But last Tuesday..."
His voice trembled.
"I heard your wife begging her to stop."
The flash drive contained clear footage.
Linda dragging a heavy wooden stool into the apartment.
Linda leaving twenty minutes later.
Smiling.
While Megan could barely stand inside the doorway.
Detective Collins looked at Jake.
"We have enough to request an arrest warrant."
Jake thought the nightmare was finally ending.
Then Megan grabbed his hand.
"No..."
Jake looked at her.
May you like
She was shaking.
"You still don't know why she hated me."
