Chapter 11

As soon as Baxter got home, he froze. The yard was engulfed in flames, thick smoke rising into the sky. The fire was rapidly consuming the greenhouse. His neighbors and household staff had gathered around. Where was Vanessa? Baxter immediately ran into the villa. He searched from the living room to the kitchen, then upstairs. But there was no sign of Vanessa in any of the rooms. He tried calling her, but the automated message said the phone was off. Baxter bent over, gasping for breath, his heart pounding. His mind was a complete haze, until he looked out the window again and saw the thick smoke billowing into the sky. Could it be… He rushed back downstairs. Pushing through the crowd, Baxter looked around, calling out as he searched, "Did anyone see my wife?" Just then, someone hesitantly stepped forward and said with uncertainty, "I think I saw Mrs. Johnston heading for the greenhouse earlier. But I'm not sure if I saw it clearly or whether she came out." Baxter immediately w