“Well, let’s figure something out. I’m starving.”
That had been our routine on the days I worked since she was old enough to stay home by herself after school.
After dinner, we watched a show on television, and then it was time for bed.
By Thursday morning,going to work was easier, but I still didn’t like leaving her home for an hour and a half before she needed to leave for school.
Once again, my day was busy. I hit the floor running and didn’t stop until it was time for lunch. While I was eating, my phone rang with a call from the Croftridge Police Department. I almost panicked, but quickly realized the call was likely related to the break-in.
“Is this Mrs. Calloway?” a man asked when I answered.
I didn’t bother correcting him. “Yes, this is Presley Calloway.”
“This is Detective Coleman. I’m calling about the burglary at your residence on Saturday.”
“Okay,” I said, unsure of what else to say.
“We ran the fingerprints collected at the scene. After ruling out you, your daughter, and Isaac Manning, we got a fingerprint match with Elsie Nelson. Do you know her?”
“Yes,” I blurted. “I mean, no. Well,” I stammered and took a second to collect my thoughts. “I know who she is, but I don’t know her. She goes to high school with my daughter, and they were recently assigned partners for a science project.”
“Did they work on the project at your house?” he asked.
“Yes, but like I said, that was a few weeks ago. And Elsie was reported missing two weeks ago. I don’t believe she’s been found.”
“No, she hasn’t,” the detective confirmed.
“So, then you’re aware of the other incident involving Elsie and my daughter,” I said.
“If you’re referring to your daughter’s report of going to a party to pick up Elsie and ending up in the hospital with a suspected overdose, then yes,” he said.
“It wasn’t an overdose. Her drink was spiked.” I couldn’t tell if I was being overly defensive or an overt dick. Either way, I didn’t like the vibe I was getting from him. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes, I need to speak with you and your daughter. When would be a good time?”
“I’m working today, and Ariel will be with her grandparents after school until I get home,” I lied. I don’t know why, but I didn’t want him, or anyone, to know Ariel would be home alone in the afternoon until I got home from work. “How about tomorrow after school gets out?”
“That will work. Say around four?”
“Yes, four will be fine.”
“Great. I’ll see you then, Mrs. Calloway.”
As soon as he ended the call, I sent a text message to Ink without giving it a second thought.
Presley:Any chance you’re free tomorrow afternoon around four?
Ink:I can be. What’s going on?
Presley:I just got a call from a detective. He wants to talk to me and Ariel at my house tomorrow.
Ink:You want me to be there?
Presley:Yes, if you don’t mind. I don’t know why, but I don’t feel comfortable.
Ink:I’ll be there. Did he say what he wanted to talk about?
Presley:Not really. He told me that they matched some fingerprints to Elsie, the girl who went missing after the party. He asked if I knew her, and then he said he wanted to talk to me and Ariel. He wanted to talk to us today, but I’m working. I told him Ariel would be with her grandparents after school.
