The Watched Family

A Domestic Thriller

Shawn Jolley

Copyright © 2024 Shawn Jolley.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the publisher, subject Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the website below.

ISBN: 9798882657177 (Paperback)

ISBN: 9798882662140 (Hardcover)

Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author's imagination.

Front cover artwork and design by Lori Tsou.

Independently published.

First printing 2024.

www.shawnjolley.com

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Contents

1.Chapter One

2.Chapter Two

3.Chapter Three

4.Chapter Four

5.Chapter Five

6.Chapter Six

7.Chapter Seven

8.Chapter Eight

9.Chapter Nine

10.Chapter Ten

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1

Chapter One

The house was big and old, looming over the smaller and newer homes on the suburban street. It didn't seem out of place, though. Instead, it seemed to have always been there, as natural to the foothills as the scattered rocks, shrubs, and trees; and just as easy to overlook.

Once you did notice it, the tall pine trees and weathered concrete walkway made for a cozy exterior, despite the imposing Victorian architecture cascading down all three stories.

When I first saw the house from the passenger seat of the SUV, that's the one thing I didn't like about it: the size. But, I didn't say anything because I knew my husband, Seth, would want to take a look. It was his type of house.

Holy guacamole, he said, from the back seat. Now, that's a house. He hit the back of my headrest for emphasis, and I turned around to see him smiling. Think that's the biggest one we've seen yet? he asked Archie, our ten-year-old son, sitting next to him.

For sure. There have to be seven bedrooms, he said.

Eight, actually, said Crystal, my best friend since the second grade and our helpful real estate agent. She had been driving us around Franklin City to look at houses for weeks. She, too, smiled when I gave her the side-eye. I had told her repeatedly I didn't want something big.

I hope it comes with a maid, I muttered, knowing full well my in-laws would pay for all sorts of help if I told Seth I needed it.

The three of them opened their doors, and I reluctantly got out too. Crystal hadn't told us the price yet, which meant it was likely out of range, and I knew Seth would care about that.

The wind had picked up since the last house we saw; (we were basically in a canyon this close to the mountains, and I knew that must be why). Even though this was a beautiful street lined with nice homes, I would hate to live here if it was always windy.

Glancing at the neighboring yard, I saw a gardener kneeling with pruning shears in the middle of some immaculately-shaped bushes. He kept to his work and paid us no mind.

Alright, Crystal said, and I snapped my attention back to her. This beautiful, historic home was built in eighteen-eighty-eight, and it was recently renovated inside and out. The builders did a wonderful job keeping its charm intact while adding loads of modern conveniences. I don't think there's a house on the market with so much history.

Crystal stared up at the house. So did Seth and Archie.

I had been watching her, and I noticed she was playing with her hair. Bad news was coming, and I couldn't wait, so I asked, How much?

Seth turned to look at Crystal.

Here it came.

It's three point five million. Just a smidge above budget. But, wait until you see it. You'll think it's a steal before long. She smiled, waiting for Seth to inhale sharply and complain.

I was waiting, too.

But he didn't. He just turned back to the house and took a long, hard stare. Seems like one of a kind. Who knows? Might be worth it.

I was floored.

Can we see all the bedrooms? Archie asked, swaying from side to side, hands in his pockets. This was the most excited I had seen him on our house hunt, and it had been weeks of nothing but stopping at curbs and walking through empty or soon-to-be-empty homes.

Let's get this over with, I said, following Crystal up the walkway.

The front porch was large, made of the same weathered concrete as the walkway, and there was a white rocking bench under the window next to the door. Archie took a seat.

Does that come with the house? Seth asked, nodding toward the bench.

Oh, that's right. I forgot to mention it comes fully furnished. And, I know what you're going to say, Liddy, but it's your taste, I swear. Crystal was fumbling with the lockbox, and her talking to me didn't help her focus on getting us inside.

Fully furnished, huh? I can't wait to see what I'd have to live with, I said, trying to sound disinterested. The truth was, it was a relief. I couldn't imagine trying to furnish a three-story home by myself.

The lockbox finally spat out the key, and Crystal opened the door. It swung nice and wide, giving all of us plenty of room to see into the larger-than-life entryway. Seth let out a low whistle, and Archie opened his mouth, speechless.

Impressive, I said, actually meaning it.

A smug Crystal winked at me as she ushered the three of us inside.

My attention—and I imagined the attention of everyone—was drawn to the focal point of the entryway: a large, sparkling chandelier. I wondered if everything was going to be big; it seemed like the theme so far.

Imported from Italy. Fairly original to the home. I think it was installed in the nineteen-twenties. Completely done up as part of the renovation. It makes for a great first impression when having guests over. And, you'll want to have guests over if you buy this place. There's plenty of space. Crystal poked fun at me. She knew I wasn't a party person, and I certainly wasn't a host-party person.

Maybe we could have a party or two, Seth said, pacing in a circle, eyes not leaving the chandelier.

I'd be sure to be out of town, I said. Even the thought of throwing a party put a knot in my stomach, and I wanted to think of anything else.

I could invite all my friends, said Archie.

I cringed at the thought of thirty ten-year-olds running through the halls.

Of course, as grand as this entryway is, it's only the first part. Let's go take a look at the eating nook, kitchen, and living room. All open-concept and right past the staircase here. Crystal walked away, beckoning for us to follow.

Eating nook? I asked. Surely, that must have been a joke. Isn't that just a modern way of saying dining room?

Oh, but dining rooms are so formal, Crystal said. Here. There's the eating nook. I had caught up with her just past the stairs, and we were now standing in one giant room. She pointed to the left. Don't you love how inviting it is? Just tucked in the corner but still open. It's certainly not a dining room.

So, it's a dining corner? I asked.

Crystal sighed and nodded. Yeah, you could say that. I wouldn't. But, you could.

I gently elbowed her and snorted. Sometimes, I did that when I really meant to laugh.

Oh no, said Seth, coming up behind us. Did you make a terrible joke?

All my jokes are funny, I said, playfully bumping into him.

I looked up at the vaulted ceiling and said, So how much of the second floor did they have to get rid of to raise the ceiling? There's no way that's original to the house. Wasted space, tsk, tsk… And, here I was trying to like this place.

Are you kidding me? Seth asked, walking slowly through the living room. I can just see the looks on my parents' faces when they walk in here for the first time. Nothing we've looked at so far even compares. And, the windows. So much light! He had his hands on the back of his head, fingers crisscrossed, and he was staring at the massive wall of windows along the back wall.

Looks like a good opportunity for unwanted attention, I said, noticing what would be our neighbors' backyards, both nearby and in the distance. Their homes appeared smaller than this one, but they all had large windows, too.

Oh, Liddy. Lighten up, would you? These windows are high-efficiency and let in a massive amount of light. What's to complain about? Most of your neighbors aren't even that close. She walked over to stand next to Seth and Archie who were both now at the back wall admiring the view.

What's all that down there? Archie asked.

I joined them to see what he was talking about. There was a steep ravine past the fenced-in backyard. It looked like a dried-up riverbed to me. An equally steep slope was on the other side meeting up with our would-be neighbors' properties. Basically, it was a bowl of undeveloped land.

Isn't it beautiful? said Crystal. That's Shadow Hollow, and I'm happy to say it's protected land, so nobody will be building there. Your view and potential playground would be safe for years to come. She winked at Archie, and he smiled, probably thinking of all the mischief he could get into in a dried-up riverbed.

What a fun backdrop. None of the other houses had this either, said Seth. I mean, you can't find hollows in every backyard, can you?

I didn't really know why anybody would want to put a hollow on their home wishlist, especially when they had a child to worry about, but it seemed to be a selling point to everyone else, so I dropped it. Can we see the rest of the house?

Great idea, said Crystal. There are four bedrooms on this main level and another four on the second. The four down here are along that side of the house just down the hallway. And, there's a shared bathroom at the end of the hall that's perfect for guests. The click-clack of her heels echoed through the room as she stepped from the decorative rug to the hardwood floor. Take note of the restored metal fireplace. Used to be wood-burning, but now it's gas. You can control it and the rest of the home with your smart device.

Awesome, said Seth, eyeing the fireplace as we walked past.

Other than being slightly bigger than many of the other bedrooms we'd seen while house hunting, the bedrooms on the main level weren't anything exceptional. The furniture matched the rest of what was on the main level, and I hadn't said anything, but Crystal was right. It was my style.

There are two staircases leading up to the second level, Crystal said, click-clacking her way back down the hallway, across the rug, past the dining nook, and into the kitchen. One going up from the fully updated kitchen and the other one from the main entryway—we passed that already. I'll take you up through the kitchen and back down into the main entryway when we leave.

What do you think of the kitchen? I asked Seth. Even though we didn't do much cooking at home, he did it more often than me. Before we started looking for a house, he told me he'd be interested in learning more, with the right kitchen.

He didn't say anything right away, just walked around the center island, ran his hand along the gas range, and checked his warped but polished reflection in the stainless steel hood. Is that a pot filler I see? he asked, nodding toward a knobby pipe folded against the wall above the range.

I knew you'd love that, said Crystal. She pulled the pipe forward so we could see how it swiveled above all of the burners.

Why not just fill the pots in the sink? Archie asked, clearly bored of the kitchen.

Seth shook his head and said, Oh, Arch. When you get older, you'll understand.

Whatever, Archie muttered, opening a drawer behind him, noticing the soft-close feature, and trying to slam it shut to no avail.

Hey, stop that, I said. Time to go check out the second floor. This time, I led everyone up the kitchen staircase, which reached a small landing and hallway at the top.

Crystal passed me, flipped the hall lights on, and said, Like I was saying before, this level has four bedrooms. The master is the first door here. You'll find an ensuite bathroom decked out with a clawfoot tub, rain shower, and dual sinks. Feel free to explore. I'll meet you at the other end of the hall where we can go up another staircase to the third level when you're ready.

She smiled, walked down the hallway, and pulled out her phone. No doubt she had an email or text to answer from another client.

Why don't you go pick your favorite bedroom, Seth said to Archie.

Sweet, he said, running past the master bedroom and disappearing through another doorway.

What are you doing? I asked, turning to face Seth.

He quickly pulled me in for a hug and said, I know big and fancy aren't really your thing, but you have to admit this place is pretty cool. Archie seems to love it. I'm just trying to have some fun.

It's a nice house, I admitted. But, I don't want to get his hopes up if we end up deciding not to buy it. Or, if we can't buy it. Who knows how many offers will come in? Have come in.

Seth let me go and said, Don't worry about that. With my new job, everything's looking up. We'll get this place if it's the one we want.

I didn't know if it was the one I wanted, but I was surprised by how much it had grown on me in such a short time. At least, I didn't hate it.

I hadn't even thought about Seth's commute until he brought up his new job. This location was close. Fifteen minutes out of the foothills and another five on the highway.

Alright, I said. Let's at least look at the rest before we make any big decisions.

Agreed. Seth pushed open the master bedroom door, and we walked in.

The master bedroom was large and spectacular, just as Crystal said it would be. It was basically a giant rectangle with six narrow floor-to-ceiling windows lining the main wall, letting in a lot of natural light. The door we had come in opened in the middle of the room. A king-size bed was to one side, and what I assumed was the door to the ensuite bathroom was to the other.

Check this place out, Seth said, walking to one of the center windows. You can see up and down the whole street from here. He placed his hands on either side of the window and leaned into the glass, craning his neck to see one