“Perfect timing. The toast is done and so is the coffee,” he replies.
I love these quiet mornings with Marlen. We’re both still in our sweatpants, messy hair, and sleepy faces. Alright, I’m the one who looks like I just woke up. Marlen, on the other hand, always looks like he’s ready for a magazine cover shoot.
But this morning I’m anxious. Once he’s left for work, I’m going to start my investigation.
I’ve spent some time when I’m alone making notes of everything Marlen has told me about the event Bardil hosted that night, and what Bardil told him. He hasn’t ever given me a full, clear picture of it all, though. Only bits and pieces in random conversations. Some were heated and angry, some were defensive. When I tried to put all the puzzle pieces into one place in my notebook, I realized that it’s very possible that Marlen can’t tell the whole story clearly because he doesn’t know it.
He only knows what Bardil told him. And what Bardil told him isn’t adding up clearly.
There are holes in the story.
Surely Marlen must have noticed this? Or is he so protective of his brother that he simply gave him the benefit of the doubt?
After breakfast and our relaxed morning routine, Marlen kisses me goodbye at the front door. This wasn’t always part of the routine. But it might be my new favorite part. The kiss is sweet and playful. Filled with emotion. There is a hint of desire, and a hint of lust, but mostly it’s just a gently, intimate moment between us. Something new. As though our connection is growing and changing.
Or perhaps that’s my wishful thinking, and I’m projecting my own feelings for him into everything now.
“I’ll see you later. I’ll be home around four,” he says, reluctantly stepping away from me.
“I can’t wait,” I whisper, grinning.
His face brightens with a smile before he turns away from me and heads out to his car.
My stomach churns. It’s time to get to work.
I don’t have access to advanced technology or fancy investigation techniques, but I don’t need any of that. All I need is a second witness. Someone else who was present at the event can give me their side of the story. And it just so happens that my sister is that person.
Alone in the house, I go up to my bedroom and close the door.
Sitting on my bed, I dial her number on my new phone. My hands are shaking with anxiety. It’s been so long since I spoke to her. And of course, my whole family is still worried sick about me, not knowing where I am.
Her phone rings twice before she answers.
“Hello, who is this?” she says in a friendly manner.
“Angel, it’s me.” My voice is shaking.
“Stef?” she blurts out, absolutely floored.
“Angel, don’t say my name. I don’t want people knowing you’re talking to me. Can you go somewhere quiet, alone?” I ask.
“What’s going on? Are you in danger? Can you tell me where you are? I can come get you,” she says hurriedly.
“Are you alone?” I ask.
“Yes, I’m alone. Are you ok? Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m not hurt at all. I’m perfectly safe. It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“How are you safe? We’ve been searching for you. We’ve been worried sick,” she complains.
“I know, I had no way to reach you. It’s a long story. I was… um… I was kidnapped, but now things are different. Butplease, right now I just need to ask you some things, and I need you to swear not to tell anyone we spoke. Not yet.”
She sighs loudly. “Jaroslav… everyone… they all deserve to know you’re ok. I can’t keep this a secret. It wouldn’t be fair,” she says. I knew she would. But I also know she’s my sister and will trust me.
“Please, I only need a few more days. That’s all. Then I’ll call Jaroslav myself. The thing is that there’s a lot going on and I’m trying to prevent people from getting hurt over things that aren’t true.”
She sighs again.
