Chapter 5 - THE STRANGER WHO HAD OUR HOUSE KEY
The man outside our apartment was not from any bank.
He was wearing a gray coat and carrying a leather briefcase.
When Sadi refused to open the door, he used a key.
Fortunately, our neighbor Mrs. Alvarez heard Sadi scream and called the police.
By the time officers arrived, the man had fled.
Sadi was unharmed.
But our apartment had been searched.
I arrived twenty minutes later, breathless and shaking.
"Sadi!"
She ran into my arms.
I held her so tightly that she complained she couldn't breathe.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm so sorry."
She shook her head.
"You didn't do anything."
I kissed her hair.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
Then whispered, "He was looking for Daddy's box."
My stomach dropped.
"What box?"
Sadi pointed toward our bedroom.
"The wooden one under your bed."
I froze.
Our father had left behind a small cedar box filled with old photographs and letters.
I'd kept it beneath my bed for two years.
"Did he take it?"
Sadi shook her head.
"I hid it."
I stared at her.
"Where?"
She reached inside her backpack.
Then pulled out the box.
I almost laughed through tears.
"You're incredible."
She smiled weakly.
"Dad said we should always protect important things."
I hugged her again.
Ravi stood near the doorway.
He hadn't entered until I asked him to.
Sadi noticed him.
"Who's that?"
I hesitated.
"A friend."
Ravi looked mildly surprised.
Then he smiled.
"Hello, Sadi."
She studied him.
"You're very tall."
He laughed softly.
"So I've been told."
Sadi tilted her head.
"Are you Diane's boyfriend?"
I nearly choked.
"Sadi!"
Ravi laughed again.
"No."
My sister looked disappointed.
"Oh."
I wanted the floor to swallow me.
But Ravi only smiled.
"Your sister is very protective of you."
Sadi nodded seriously.
"Because Diane forgets to eat when she's worried."
Something changed in Ravi's expression.
He looked at me.
"Does she?"
I crossed my arms.
"Don't start."
For the first time, I saw genuine warmth in his eyes.
Then Detective Mitchell approached.
"We need to examine the box. With your permission."
I nodded.
Inside were family photographs, my father's old watch, and a small blue notebook.
I opened it.
Most pages contained ordinary repair notes.
Engine numbers.
Parts orders.
Maintenance schedules.
Then I found a page dated three days before my parents died.
Four words were underlined.
Gabriel knows about Kiran.
I stared.
"Kiran?"
Ravi's expression changed.
"What did you say?"
I turned the notebook toward him.
His face went pale.
"Where did your father hear that name?"
I swallowed.
"Who's Kiran?"
Ravi looked toward Sadi.
Then back at me.
"Kiran was my younger brother."
I stared.
"Was?"
His voice dropped.
"He disappeared when he was eight."
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Then he pointed toward my father's notebook.
"And according to this, your father knew where he was."
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