In darkness, I creep from her room, wary of her parents sleeping down the hall. Then, with my heart pounding in my ears, I move silently through the home, mindful of where I place my feet on the stairs. Each creak of the wood stops my heart, knowing it could be any one of them that causes her father to wake. I’m too old to be fearing anyone’s father, but fuck, he’s a detective, one who’s looking into the disappearance of my wife. A lot of things could go wrong if he discovers me sneaking through his home.
Keeping my eye on the upstairs balcony, I slink through the house, slipping through the living room to the back door. When Scarlett snuck me in earlier, she left this door unlocked for an easy exit, but once I open it a crack, my worst thoughts come true.
Tired, heavy footsteps pound on the upstairs floor, making their way toward the top of the stairs. I don’t wait a moment longer to be caught. As swiftly and soundlessly as possible, I throw myself into the backyard, remaining in the shadows for as long as I can before coming to the side of her house. From there, I rush onto the sidewalk. Scarlett said before that her neighbors sleep early, and I’m relieved to find that to be true. With curtains drawn and blacked-out windows, I don’t feel as criminal, but I don’t really feel safe until I’m around the corner and jumping into my car.
Driving down the road, I blow out a breath, laughing into the crisp night sky.
“I can’t believe we did that,” I mumble, rubbing my hands down my face in exhaustion.
I make it home within ten minutes, zooming through the green lights, only slowing down for stop signs. As I approach my gate, I take in my walls, where I tore down and disabled all security cameras. Luckily for me, they weren’t up too long, so there’s no discoloration on the stucco. Hopefully, tomorrow, the detectives aren’t too focused on the outside of my home since it’s the outside that I really ripped apart.
I didn’t find anything else that’s too worrisome, nothing I couldn’t explain away. But I won’t feel at ease until they’re gone, and this entire investigation is shut down.
Her mother and sister brought this to the detectives, but I’m not sure why. They didn’t even like her, and have barely spoken two words to her within the last few months. I can’t help but wonder if it’s my father-in-law that pushed Penelope, her mother, to file the report, or maybe it was Joshua that pushed Richmond, her father. Although, I doubt that because he wasn’t supposed to be having an affair with Richmond’s daughter to begin with. That would have been grounds for firing.
Or so I’ve heard.
Beth was never one to listen to rules. I wouldn’t be surprised if she forced Joshua to be the same way.
After a final look-through of my house, I settle into bed for the night. Unfortunately, my nerves don’t allow for much rest, so I steal one of Beth’s sleeping pills out of the nightstand and shut my eyes.
I welcome the sleep that holds me under, dreaming of my girl until the sun rises.
“Hello. Come in,” I say, holding the door wide for Detective Rubio and Detective Dane. They pass through my doorway without even a glance, but when Officer Dane steps inside, he says something that shakes my foundation.
“It’s really clean in here… spotless, actually. Reminds me of my home and how my daughter likes to clean.”
What the fuck am I supposed to say to that? Yeah, your daughter was scrubbing my floors before she climbed on my cock? She cleaned my tip real well too.
No, that’s a fucking disaster waiting to happen. Instead, I respond, “Thank you. My wife loves a clean house.” More like demands, but I keep that to myself. I don’t want to come across as hateful toward my wife. That wouldn’t cast me in an innocent light.
Starting in the living room, the detectives search around, appearing relaxed and casual, when in reality, I know they’re anything but. They're looking for my downfall with every object they touch and overturn. It would be the greatest thing for them to pin her disappearance on me, but it’s not going to happen. I have my pretty girl to thank for that.
Noah
While my partner searches the top floor, I remain downstairs, exploring the shelves, bookcase, and cabinets as I keep a light conversation with Mr. Ellis going.
“So, what did you do while you were up at the cabin?”
From my peripheral vision, I watch as he leans against the windows leading to the backyard, eyes gazing at something on the wall across. He doesn’t take too long to answer. In my experience, it's either because he’s reminiscing about his trip or he’s thinking about what the correct answer should be. I just have to figure out which one it is.
“Mostly, I spent my time lakeside. I’ve been dabbling in fishing, trying to get the hang of it.”
“And did you?”
“I caught a few small trouts my first few days, but on my last day, I was able to capture this huge Black Sea Bass. I had no clue what to do with it or how to cook or clean it, but it was cool.”
There’s nothing in his tone that gives off any falsities. Of course, it doesn’t mean he’s in the clear, but about this? I don’t think he’s lying.
“I’ve been thinking about trying fishing too, something relaxing to do on my days off. Maybe take my wife and daughter with me and make a weekend of it.”
Fishing doesn’t seem like something Scarlett would be too interested in, but she’d love the water. I’m sure of it. When she was a little girl, her mom and I would take her down the coast and find the most secluded spot on the beach for her to run around.
“I’m a mermaid, Daddy! I’m a mermaid!”she would scream before throwing herself into the waves.
I smile at the memory, thinking of my little girl and how much she’s grown.
“Your daughter,” Mr. Ellis says, interrupting my thoughts, “I believe I have her in my Advanced U.S History class. She’s very bright.”
