The scratch was recent.
I stood and looked around the room.
Patricia had always been meticulous about furniture placement. She hated when anything was crooked or out of position.
Why had she moved the wardrobe?
I did not force anything open or start pulling apart the room. Instead, I photographed what I had noticed and contacted the authorities to explain why I believed there might be additional evidence relevant to the case.
While I waited for guidance, I examined the wardrobe from the doorway.
Behind it, near the lower corner, I could see the edge of a narrow wooden panel.
It blended into the wall so well that I had never noticed it before.
The panel had a small metal latch.
My mouth went dry.
I thought of Sofia’s notebook.
Never go into her bedroom when she isn’t home.
I stepped back.
Whatever was behind that panel, I would not risk destroying evidence or making an unauthorized search that could complicate the investigation.
