Chapter 3
PART 3
Officer Ruiz did not smile or react. He simply reached into his shirt pocket, removed a small recording device, and placed it on the dining room table beside the note.
“Mr. Carter,” he said clearly, “this is Officer Daniel Ruiz with Westbrook Police. Your daughter has placed this call on speaker. For the record, are you Richard Carter of 118 Hawthorne Lane?”
My father swore under his breath.
“Dad,” I said, “answer him.”
“Yes,” my father snapped. “I’m Richard Carter.”
“Mr. Carter,” Officer Ruiz said, “your residence was broken into sometime last night or early this morning. A written message was left inside referencing your daughter and instructing us to ask you why. Do you know who may have done this?”
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
I knew my father’s voice. I knew the difference between anger and fear. This was fear wearing anger like a coat.
Officer Ruiz glanced at me, then continued. “Do you know anyone who may have believed Emily would be alone at the residence this weekend?”
My mother’s voice rose in the background. “Richard, what is he talking about?”
My father ignored her. “My daughter was supposed to watch the house. That’s all.”
“Supposed to?” Officer Ruiz asked.
“She lives there.”
“No,” I said. “I don’t. Not anymore.”
My father made a harsh sound. “Emily, don’t start.”
Something broke in me then, but not loudly. It was quiet, clean, almost peaceful.
“I’m not starting,” I said. “I’m finishing.”
Vanessa’s voice cut into the call, sharp and irritated. “Emily, you always make everything about yourself.”
Officer Ruiz lifted one hand, not to silence me, but to steady the room.
“Mr. Carter,” he said, “we recovered another item from the upstairs hallway. It appears to be an envelope with the name Marcus Bell written on it. Does that name mean anything to you?”
My father said nothing.
My mother did.
“Oh my God,” she whispered.
I turned toward the officer. “Who is Marcus Bell?”
Ruiz’s expression shifted. Not surprise exactly. Confirmation.
May you like
“You don’t know him?”
“No.”
