With one hand holding the phone and the other gripping the rope’s end, Victor dragged a nearby shelf over and positioned it at the foot of the bed. The shelf was as tall as he was, and he placed the phone on the top level, ensuring it could capture everything happening on the bed.

As Estelle considered his next move, she shivered and quietly moved toward the head of the bed while he was preoccupied with setting up the phone.

Having lived in this room before, Estelle was familiar with its ...