Chapter 3 - THE HOUSE
Animal control removed the rattlesnake that evening.
They did not speculate about how it arrived.
Rattlesnakes existed in the region.
Seeing one near a patio was unusual.
Not impossible.
The property backed onto dry open land.
Arthur had seen snakes before.
Never that close to the house.
Never beside Noah’s toy.
Police were not automatically involved.
There was no evidence of a crime.
Then Claire returned home after midnight.
Noah was asleep in the guest room.
Arthur remained admitted for observation.
Claire walked through the kitchen.
The sliding door was locked.
The yellow toy truck still lay on its side outside.
She stared at it through the glass.
Then noticed something near the patio chair.
A small paper tag.
Wind had pushed it against the leg.
Claire went through the side door, staying far from where the snake had been.
She picked it up.
WEST RIDGE PEST SOLUTIONS.
SERVICE ACCESS.
A handwritten work-order number.
She photographed it.
Did not touch anything else.
Then she called Arthur’s longtime neighbor, Tom Greene.
“Did you see a pest-control truck today?”
Tom thought.
“White van?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe around two.”
Claire’s heartbeat changed.
“Did it come here?”
“I thought so.”
“Did you see anyone?”
“One guy walked down the side path.”
“Did he knock?”
“Couldn’t see.”
Claire thanked him.
Then called West Ridge’s after-hours line.
She did not accuse anyone.
She asked to confirm the work order.
The receptionist pulled it up.
Service address:
Arthur Hale’s home.
Requested by:
Margaret Hale.
Claire frowned.
There was no Margaret Hale in the household.
Then the receptionist added:
“Contact number ends in 4419.”
Claire knew that number.
Her aunt Rebecca.
Arthur’s younger sister.
Claire sat down at the kitchen table.
For ten seconds she could hear nothing but the refrigerator.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“Aunt Rebecca?”
