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Morgan excuses herself and I begin unpacking our dinner. By the time she returns, I’ve filled a plate with cashew chicken, black garlic vegetables and dumplings and a glass of wine. We fall into comfortable silence as we dig into our food.
At the first commercial break, I set my plate down and pick up my phone. Morgan eyes me and tilts her head in question. Instead of answering, I bring the device to my ear.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” he says in greeting.
“Hi Detective Randel. How are you?”
Morgan leans over and snags the remote control and turns the television off and turns to face me while I listen to Detective Randel clank around in his kitchen, dropping a curse word here and there.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner but you said to always call. So, here I am. Calling.”
“What happened?”
“I received an email.”
“Give me thirty minutes. I’ll be right there.”
He ends the call and I look at my friend, concern all over her face. “I’m sorry, Morgan. I thought...”
She scoots closer to me, her arm pulling me to her side. I rest my head on her shoulder and wipe my nose as a sniffle escapes.
“Do not apologize. Is Detective Randel on his way?” I nod. “Okay, good. Let’s get this stuff cleaned up so he doesn’t think we’re complete slobs.”
I giggle and she pushes up from the couch and gathers our plates and heads toward the kitchen. While she’s doing the clean-up, I go about splashing cold water on my face and gathering my electronics. We’ve been down this road before and I know Detective Randel will need to see everything before taking my things for a few days.
My time in my room must have been longer than I thought because by the time I returned to the living room, Morgan is sitting with Detective Randel. When I approach, the man who has been like a second father greets me with a smile. I place my things on the table and step into his extended arms.
Bruce Randel is a large man. Both in stature and heart. I know how much my case weighs heavily on him and for that I feel extreme guilt. But, selfishly, I love having him in my life. Whenever I call, he comes without hesitation. Sometimes, it’s only my mind playing tricks on me but sometimes, it’s this asshole.
I step out of his hold and smile up at him before confessing my mistake. “I replied.”
“Sophia!” Morgan and Detective Randel shout in unison.
“I’m sorry?”
“If it’s a question then no, you aren’t,” Morgan chastises.
It is really annoying when she’s right. Ignoring her disapproving look, I plop myself on the floor and open my laptop. My fingers fly across the keys entering password after password. When my email opens my typing stops.He replied.
How can you say such harsh words? We are destined for one another. I’ve waited for you to mature. To grow into the woman I know you are meant to be. It is why I struggle to understand your fondness for those pants with such childish designs. A woman should show her sexuality for the man who loves her, not fall back on pants with donuts for a design. I see I will need to step in and assume responsibility for your fashion choices.
Rest well my sweet.
A chill runs up my spine and my body begins to shake. There is a whooshing in my ears and the room spins. Donuts. I look down and see the pattern scattered all over my legs. These are new. I am wearing them for the first time.
Detective Randel takes my computer while Morgan thrusts a glass of water in my hands. “Take a drink, Soph. What does it say, Detective?”
“Sophia, tell me what this means. What is this dress he’s talking about?”
I’m quiet while I count to ten and back to one, allowing my mind and heart to slow. “I bought a red dress. It’s in my closet. I’ve not worn it yet.”
“And the pajamas?”
I motion to my legs. “I’m wearing them for the first time.”
With a few clicks, he powers down the computer and my phone before turning his attention to me. "Sophia, this is a major escalation. He’s referencing specific things that you say nobody should know?” I nod.
He stands and runs a hand through his silver streaked hair. “I have to be honest; technology is beyond my comfort zone. I’m going to take your things to the station and have our tech unit take a look. We’ve talked in the past about escalation and how we would manage the situation. Do you recall?”
