"Who are you?" Idina asked.

"Wrong question," the voice replied.

"Why would I do anything for you?" Idina challenged. She had Erika. She had won. The police were already investigating the kidnapping. They would find whoever this person was and arrest them.

"Because if you don't, I will destroy your life," the voice replied.

"And what's to stop me from going to the police?" she questioned. "You have no leverage."

"You're not going to call the authorities," the voice said, "because I know that Erika is currently setting up a laptop. She's on the second floor, the third window from the right."

A chill ran down Idina's spine. She bolted up the stairs and into Erika's room. The girl was laying on the stomach on the bed, with the computer. It was still initializing, whatever that meant.

She went straight to the window and looked out. She couldn't see anyone or anything unusual. 

"I want the money transferred to my account," the voice said. "Plus a little extra compensation. Interest, if you will, for the late payment. Nodd if you'll do it. I can see you."

Shaking, Idina nodded. Then the line when silent.

"Idina?" Erika was staring up at her. "Are you okay?'

"Yeah," she said steadily, sliding the phone into her back pocket. "I just wanted to check something. The neighbours were worried they left a light on."

Erika didn't reply, but Idina could see her wondering 'and you had to do it from my room?' Or maybe not 'my room' maybe 'this room'. Idina hoped she was thinking 'my room'. It would mean that she believed she had a place here. 

"You look like you've seen a ghost."

"It's just the lighting."

"I know you're lying." 

Idina walked out. She did not know what else to do. Walker was still willing to believe whatever she said if it was comforting. Erika, however, would call her out. She wasn't used to this. 

Then she turned back. "Erika?"

"Yeah?'

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight," came the muffled reply.

Idina phone buzzed. The unknown number had sent her bank details.  She quickly transferred the funds.

Then she deleted the messages, in case Aaron saw them, and went to her room. Aaron was in bed, replying to emails on his phone.

"Kids alright?" he asked.

She nodded.

She changed and crawled into bed next to him, nuzzling his neck. She just wanted to fall asleep and forget that this ever happened. 

He started kissing her slowly. For a second, she wanted to push him away. She felt guilty, dirty, awful. She was lying to him now. But then she'd have to come clean. 

He deepened the kiss and she moaned. This was what she wanted. This life, this family. She wanted to forget that it was in danger, at least for a moment.