Kade regarded her quietly before speaking again.
"What is your name?"
"M-Miranda."
"How long have you served at Cross Estate?"
"T-Twelve years."
"So you were already there before Cooper arrived."
"Y-Yes..."
Kade studied her for another moment.
"And yet you expect me to believe you know nothing."
Miranda's lips trembled as she searched desperately for an answer, but no words came.
Without warning, Kade lowered himself until they were at eye level.
"Listen carefully."
His voice became little more than a whisper, and somehow that quietness proved infinitely more terrifying than if he had shouted.
"If you choose to lie to me, I won't need to punish you."
He allowed the words to settle before slowly lifting his eyes toward the remaining prisoners.
"I'll simply conclude that everyone in these cells values silence more than life."
The atmosphere inside the dungeon shifted immediately.
