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The room is silent. Everyone is watching Aria closely, but I have my eyes on Al and Jakob, because something isn't right. Call it a hunch.
Aria continues. "There was a mole on his shoulder that repulsed me every time he was near me. The room was so damp, the wood on the walls was wet. It got so cold I could see the air I breathed. That man's eyes are and will forever be printed into my memory. That man." She points over at Jakob. "Is just like him.”
Jakob takes off his jacket and holds out his arms. Aria inspects them, but she shakes her head.
“What are you looking for, honey?” asks Clay.
Clay might not have been a detective, but he’s picked up so much over the years. You would never believe he didn’t spend time in the police force. He’s thorough.
“The man had burns on his arms.” She turns to face me and grips my shirt. “He had burns on his legs as well. Old burns.” She shakes her head and closes her eyes. “I forgot to tell you that information. I’m sorry.”
"Aria, I could place you under arrest for hitting a police officer." Al stands straighter.
"Like hell you will." I stand off with Al, pushing Aria behind me. “You put one hand on her and he’ll be arresting me as well, because you won’t walk out of here.”
Al sighs and shakes his head. "But I'll let it slide on this occasion as long as you let us go on with our job."
It’s hard to believe that Al was my partner for many years, because he has changed. The police force has changed him, and I don’t like the person he is now.
“Instead of being an asshole, you might want to check out any male that has suffered significant burns. Cross match it with pedophiles, rapists, murderers… Why am I doing your job for you?” I hold my hands out.
“We are doing our job. I don’t have to keep you up to date, Caleb. I’m here because you’re my friend. I’m here because I want to find this motherfucker. Aria, are you satisfied that my partner’s in the clear?”
Aria nods subtly. Al and Jakob walk past us, and I place my hand on Jakob's arm. He looks down at me. "I hope for your sake you had nothing to do with this, because I will bury you if I find out otherwise."
They leave the office and I turn to Chris. "I want every piece of information about that detective. His family, their background, where they grew up. I want nothing left out. If he knows anything about this case, I'm about to find out."
I stare at the door the detectives walked out of. I have a bad feeling about something and my feelings are usually spot on.
"Sweetheart, you don't need to look at this."
Clay breaks through my thoughts and I see Aria stopping him from turning over our evidence board.
"Whether I see it here or not, I live with those pictures in my head every day, Clay. Nothing is ever going to take them away from my memory. You don’t need to hide anything from me."
She picks off the picture of one of the girls that went missing. Clay looks over at me, as if to say something, but I don't know what to do anymore.
Aria turns away from the board and takes in everyone looking at her. She shakes her head and hands the photo back to Clay. "I'm always going to be reminded of this mess. I’m done. I can't do this anymore. It would have been better for us all if he killed me too."
Before I can engage my brain, Aria runs from the room and I throw the folder down on the table and go after her.
I knew she would start to feel this survivor’s guilt at some point; it’s a process all victims go through.
Her words echo in my head. It would have been better for us all if he killed me too. Little does she know that would have been the worst possible thing to happen, because it would’ve destroyed me and her family.
"Aria, wait!"
She runs to my truck and rests her hands on the hood. I hear her sobbing, but I don't get too close. She knows I'm here. Bottling up all this emotion isn't doing her any good. She needs to let it out.
"This baby is always going to be taunted by bullies. The father is always going to be an issue. My life is always going to be tainted by the memories."
"Aria, look at me." I place my hands on her shoulders and wait for her to turn and meet my eyes. When she does, my heart is shredded by the state she’s in. Tears are streaming down her cheeks, her face is blotchy, and her voice is distant.
"I can't do this, Caleb! I can't!"
"Sshh!" I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. I don't know how long we stand here for, but it feels like forever. The cold air is turning my hands numb. "This is what we're going to do." Her pleading eyes look through me. I hold her face in my hands and place a gentle kiss on her head. "If anyone asks, the baby is mine."
"What?"
