The photo that Detective Clements took didn’t reveal anyone that I thought looked suspicious or that I remembered from last Friday night. Chief Harding thanked us both for our help and both officers issued words of caution for me, wanting to make sure that I would not be left alone. Owen assured them that he was making sure I was protected. Detective Clements walked out leaving us alone with Chief Harding.“Listen,” he started as soon as Clements shut the door. “I know CiCi has shared what I told her with you all. She was very clear that she would and I can see that you are both taking this serious and not divulging anything she said to anyone.”“No, sir. Of course not.” I stated. “I want this bastard caught as quickly as possible. We wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that.”“Good and thank you. I really am putting my neck on the line here but some information just came in from TBI right before the press conference. Owen, the two of you can tell your mother since the more times I am
Chief Harding said he would consider my offer and discuss it with Detective Clements this afternoon. In the meantime, he would let Detective Clements know prior to the press conference starting that I would be in the crowd and to be on the lookout for anyone that seemed to be paying too much attention to me.Owen still didn’t like it, even more so now that we were here but I was insistent upon doing this. I wanted to help and I was also considering there might be information at the press conference that we were not yet aware of, either.We left Chief Harding’s office and walked back across the interior of the station to the front doors and quickly made our way toward the small crowd of people that were gathering outside. A news crew was setting up their equipment off to the side and I suddenly second guessed being here.If Chief Harding revealed the victim type, here I was front and center with a news crew that could pick me out of the crowd to try to interview. They would also see an
We checked back into school during the last half of P.E. class, just twenty minutes before the pep rally was set to start. Coach Lawrence gave us some last minute things to do for the gym to be ready and ten minutes before start time, Mrs. Laughlin brought down the camera equipment and helped me set it up.“Don’t overdo it today, Aurora.” Mrs. Laughlin suggested with a smile. “You have a lot going on and we still have to process all those photos from last week so just go with whatever feels natural here and the game tomorrow night, too. Don’t overextend yourself trying to capture everything.”I nodded my understanding, knowing she had my best interests at heart with her suggestions but I was never one to half-ass anything, especially something I was passionate about.Starting Monday, I planned to tackle those photos from the game and just deal with the effects afterwards with Greta in session. I refused to hide from this anymore. The best way to prevent becoming a victim was to let th
We did not return to class once we left CiCi’s office. Instead, Owen and I picked up lunch through a drive-thru and drove back to the house, where we could eat and talk without any interruptions or any risks of anyone overhearing us. Barb and John had already left when we arrived, having to be at the diner at eleven this and every morning.So far, we were relatively silent, each lost in our own thoughts. Other than asking me what I wanted when he pulled up to the burger joint’s drive-thru, not a word was spoken until we entered the house and put the food down.The moment I sat the bags on the counter, Owen grabbed me and pulled me to him in one swift move and his mouth found mine. He lifted me by my hips as I wrapped my legs around his waist and carried me swiftly down the hall and into the bedroom, throwing me down on the bed and climbing in after me, ditching clothes as he did.Without a word, I understood. He could not speak to his vulnerability right now. It was too much, too raw w
“WHAT!?” Owen asked loudly, quickly followed by, “Where?”“In the woods along Five Forty-Two but about two and a half miles from where her car was discovered. The crazy thing is, she should have never been on that highway to begin with. I'll explain more about that in a minute.”“So have they ruled the husband out as a suspect?” Owen asked her.“Yes, almost immediately.” She answered with her lips sets in a grim line. “Not only was he completely transparent and forthcoming, he had an airtight alibi. He has security cameras installed in their front and back yards and he chose Sunday afternoon to mow the yard while she was at the gym. He is seen on and off the cameras all afternoon and his truck never moved.”The feeling of dread I had experienced all morning came back with a vengeance, threatening to choke the very breath from me as I sat and listened. I knew there was more she was about to reveal to us and somehow I felt like I already knew what she would say.I attempted to speak but
Two more days had passed and the public was growing more and more restless by the moment, myself included. The police were not disclosing any information about the investigation concerning the death of Alexis Parker nor the disappearance of Penelope Hudson. Both Penelope’s husband and the parents of Alexis were becoming regulars on the evening news, both parties desperately begging and pleading anyone with any information to come forward. At this point, the police could not even disclose whether they suspected the two cases to be related to one another or not.My days had pretty much been the same. Classes progressed normally despite everyone staying distracted. As soon as school finished, Owen and I would find somewhere to eat dinner together before parting ways. He would head straight to football practice and I would drive downtown to Greta’s office. We would meet back at the diner, work our shift together with Barb and John before going home. Once home, we would usually mess around