April Fool's Day

Chapter 2

They were seated in a small windowless room in what Detective Paulson called a satellite office. It was a small one-story brick building located behind the plaza which housed Manny’s. He would have never figured it for a police station. He kept wondering if he was in the middle of a dream, but the stale smell and uncomfortable steel chair ensured it was real. He was seated by himself and had been for a while. He knew they were probably letting him sweat it out. He had heard all the various police techniques on TV and the movies. He could see a small camera in the far corner and knew there were probably at least one set of eyes monitoring his every movement and facial expression, but he didn’t care.

He just wanted to know where his family was. He couldn’t imagine why she had filed that report. It had been her in the picture and her handwriting. Things had been a little stressful lately, but no more than usual. He didn’t remember a recent argument. Everything seemed so blurry and nothing made sense. He tried to remember every detail of the past few days but his brain wasn’t cooperating, it was just swirling around in mass confusion instead. He consumed a beer or two here and there, but that was it and he certainly didn’t do any drugs. How could this have happened? He stared at the cement blocks lining the room and thought about Kaitlin and hoped they were okay. He so longed to see them and hold them. He felt the tears begin to flow out of his eyes again. Everything was so surreal. He couldn’t think of any way he could have done that to her, but it was right there in black and white. He had heard all the stories of people blacking out and committing outrageous acts.

Suddenly, the door opened and Detective Paulson entered. He had removed the jacket and was wearing a buttoned-down shirt with his gun prominently displayed on his side. He had a thick manila folder in his hand. He immediately sat down opposite Tom and placed the folder gently down in front of him.

Can I get you anything Mr. Reynolds? Water, coffee, soda?

Tom shook his head and wiped his eyes. No thanks.

Tom watched as the Detective repositioned himself and leaned forward and opened the folder. Let’s just cut to the chase here Mr. Reynolds and tell us what this is really about?

Tom met his eyes. They were stern and almost looking through him. I don’t know.

Was there a fight? Too much to drink? It happens to all of us. The sooner you let us know the sooner we can move on. He opened the folder and placed the same sheet of paper in front of Tom as well as the bloody picture.

Tom covered his eyes. He was beginning to feel lightheaded. I don’t know.

Look we can play games in here all day, but the sooner you let us know the better it is for you. You can help yourself by being up front with us. You’re a smart guy, you have a good job and do a lot for the community, we’ll help you out but you just have to help us.

I didn’t do anything.

Mr. Reynolds, we have a signed and sworn statement from your wife from yesterday morning that you physically beat her and even several photographs showing it. Also, there is a restraining order against you. Just tell us what happened.

Tom felt the room around him begin to swirl and the next thing he knew he was being lifted off the floor by Detective Paulson. What happened?

You passed out. Now stay put. I’m getting you something to drink. A minute later, Tom watched him return with a can of Sprite. Now drink up. Tom opened the can and jumped slightly when he heard the sudden wisp of the pressure being released. He took a long drink and felt the carbonated beverage tingle its way down his throat and into his stomach. He felt as though he was going to vomit at any moment.

Feel better? Tom didn’t but he nodded anyway. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He looked at the clock above Paulson. It was almost 7:00 AM. He should be tucked in bed next to Emily with Kaitlyn sound asleep across the hall, but instead he was in a police station with a detective telling him he had beat up his wife and she had filed a restraining order against him. He took another long drink trying to keep the vomit down.

He stared into his wife’s eyes in the pictures. She looked so innocent, just like she did the day they had gotten married. They had met at an elementary school when Tom was giving a financial seminar for the teachers. She had originally had no interest in financial planning, but she had stayed after to listen as the teachers asked questions and as soon as the last one left she told Tom she was a first-year teacher and had no money. He spent the next hour planning out her future. Later that evening, they agreed to meet at Manny’s and had been inseparable ever since. Tom continued to stare at Emily’s picture. He was aware of the detective watching him, but he didn’t care.

Again, the sooner you come clean the better for you. Tom directed his eyes towards the detective’s deep brown intense glare. He couldn’t speak so instead he nodded his head up and down slowly. He watched as Paulson quickly rose from the seat across from him and walked to the other side of the small room and leaned against the wall. I’m going to ask you one more time to tell us Mr. Reynolds or things are going to get a whole lot worse for you.

Tom slowly stood up and looked at Paulson. Can I go? Paulson quickly left the room leaving Tom to himself.

A minute later, he left the room and the station and walked the couple hundred yards or so to Manny’s. Tom could see his friend inside straightening things up and getting ready for another day. Tom stood in front of the large window until Manny turned in his direction and waved at him. Tom waved back and Manny quickly came to the door and opened it up and invited Tom inside.

Tom reluctantly stepped through the door and felt the rush of warm memories swarm his brain. Tom stared at Manny’s scenic pictures on the walls. The place had a familiar scent that Tom’s nostrils immediately recognized. Tom felt at home. Manny directed him towards the closest booth and sat down opposite him.

I know that look Mr. Reynolds. Something is wrong. Please tell Manny.

Tom looked across the table at the jolly looking man with fluffy white hair and a matching goatee. Manny had put on a few pounds and it showed in his face, but Tom couldn’t take his eyes of his friendly face. He didn’t say anything at first and then he finally whispered. She is gone. Kaitlyn too.

Manny leaned forward. "What do you mean gone?’

They left yesterday.

Manny shook his head. How can that be? I just saw them yesterday morning. Emily and Kaitlyn came in to say hi. They had just gone to that Starbucks place all you young people go to. Manny saw those big cups they were carrying.

Tom quickly sat up and looked closely into Manny’s twinkling eyes. They were here yesterday?

Yep. Right over there. Tom turned his head and saw Manny was pointing near the register area.

How were they? Did they seem okay?

Fine, Mr. Reynolds. Kaitlyn was talking away as she usually does.

How about Emily?

Tom watched him look up and to his right for a second. She seemed good, but I remember her wearing sunglasses and not taking them off. Manny doesn’t like sunglasses inside. Makes me nervous and Mrs. Reynolds not the make me nervous type.

Tom quickly jumped up and thanked Manny and ran out the restaurant.

Detective Adam Paulson had seen it all in his twenty-two-year career as a police officer, the last fifteen as a detective. He was up for retirement in three years but there was no way he was leaving the job unless he was forced out. He was tight with the chief, so he was sure he could hang around for as long as he wanted or at least another eight or so years when he turned sixty-two.

He loved the job but he also had nothing else to go home to. His wife had left him years ago and moved across the country with their son and daughter. All of them married and with new families. He was long since forgotten. He had only dated several times since she had left and they were all forced on him by other officers, but he didn’t care. Life goes on as they say and marriage isn’t for everyone.

He was pretty sure this Reynolds guy was guilty. He had been pretty sure as soon as he had stepped in their house and saw the man’s reactions to the photos. It seemed like he hadn’t been surprised by the beating, but was surprised that the police knew about it. And then the passing out thing. He had seen that many times. It was just too much once someone realizes what they did. He was pretty sure there had been an argument. There usually was and it was usually about money or the kids and then things got out of hand. Maybe Reynolds had too much to drink. He would check into that as well if his wife and daughter had run away or Reynolds had done something to them. Perhaps gotten rid of the bodies. He would find them if they were out there, that he was sure of. Another interview or so and he would break Mr. Reynolds.

They all broke. Every one of them. Some of them just took longer than others and in the meantime, he would gather up evidence and back the guy into a corner. He seemed like a nice enough man and shouldn’t be any more difficult than the others he had dealt with in the past. He found it was usually the nicer guys that turned out to be the worst and most challenging, but that was what he thrived on. He couldn’t wait to get started.

He immediately logged into his computer and read every detail on Tom Samuel Reynold’s life. The chase was on.

Chapter 3

Tom pulled into his driveway hoping Emily and Kaitlyn were somehow there, but as soon as he stepped into the empty foyer he knew nothing had changed. It was just him and an empty house.

He quickly ran through every room and closet again and didn’t find anyone. He finally settled on the middle of the stairs staring up at the family pictures on the wall Emily had insisted they take every year.

They went to the mall every year right before Thanksgiving and all wore the same matching light-blue shirts that Emily carefully picked out every year. Tom pulled the most recent one off the wall and stared into the faces of his family. He couldn’t take his eyes off Kaitlyn. He missed her precious little smile so much. She will be turning eight in just two weeks.

He clearly remembered the day she was born. Emily had just dropped him off at the emergency room for an IV after a bout with food poisoning. He had vomited all night and had been so dehydrated the next morning Emily insisted he go to the ER despite his protests that he needed to be around in case she needed him. She finally convinced him he would be of no use to her in the condition he was in. He finally gave in. He stood in the ER lobby for about fifteen minutes before finally deciding to enter. He finally walked up to the nurse at the desk and she immediately took him back seeing how dehydrated he looked. He was given heavy doses of anti-nausea medicine and IV bags and soon fell asleep under the effects of the drugs. The doctor decided to admit him due to the severity of the illness. When he finally awoke and was ready to be released, he called Emily and found out she had gone into labor right after dropping him off and was already back home with the baby. She said her father was on his way to take him home. Tom was in such shock he didn’t know what to think, but a little while later he was home and couldn’t take his eyes off Kaitlyn. Emily insisted he stay far away from her until he was all better and a few days later, he picked her up for the first time and hadn’t put her down since. He wiped a few tears from his eyes when he got an idea.

Five minutes later, he was driving frantically on the beltway heading for Delaware. A few hours later, he parked the Cherokee in front of a large condo complex and walked up one flight of stairs and began frantically knocking on the door. An older man reluctantly answered giving Tom an unfriendly look.

Hi Tom. What can we do for you? He was standing in the doorway not allowing Tom to see past him.

Jim, I need to see Emily and Kaitlyn. I know they are here.

The man took a step back and a woman of similar age but much smaller and frailer with gray soft curly hair appeared and frowned seeing Tom. You’re not welcome here Tom…not after what you did to my girl. Tom leaned back. He always loved his mother-in-law but she could have a ferocious temper.

Look Tom, like I told you on the phone, we haven’t seen her and after seeing what you did. We don’t want to see you again. Jim and Tom had always been close, spending many hours together on the golf course or out on the lake fishing. He knew this had to be hard on him.

I didn’t do anything. She just left.

You beat her to a pulp. We saw the pictures. They were sent to us as well. You’re a monster. The words stung as soon as she spoke them and Tom felt himself began to wither right in front of them.

I promise you I didn’t hurt her. I just want to talk to her.

Tom watched his mother-in-law slip back inside leaving him with just Jim who closed the door and stepped out onto the patio with him.

I know you’re a good guy and I don’t think you would hurt her, but we have her statement and a copy of the restraining order. Tom wasn’t sure how they had a copy or even how they knew. Jim lowered his voice. I promise you she isn’t here. We haven’t seen her or heard from her since yesterday. We’re a little concerned, but knowing her she probably went to a safe place with Kaitlyn. She was always like that. Always has a back-up plan for everything. Tom wondered if she had always had a back-up plan for him. I promise if she shows up or we hear from her we will call you or I’ll tell her to call you despite what you did.

You know I wouldn’t hurt her. She’s my life.

That’s what I thought, but the photos and statements are pretty convincing. I’ve got to go check on Pam. Tom stood there and watched her parents go back inside and close the door shutting him out. He felt so lost and confused. These people were his family.

His parents had been killed in a car accident when he was in his twenties and Emily’s parents had immediately stepped in. They had spent so many nights and days together, now they wouldn’t even talk to him. His life was falling apart.

He slowly walked back to the Cherokee and sat inside and watched the condo for any activity. After several hours of not seeing anyone and wiping tears from his moist eyes, he decided it was time to head back. On the drive back, Tom scrutinized every move and word that had happened over the last week. By the time he arrived back in his driveway, he wasn’t sure anymore if he knew who he really was and if he had done the damage to his wife. Was it possible he could have done that to her? Was it his fault that he drove her away and caused her to file a restraining order? Maybe he really was a monster. He couldn’t remove his eyes from the rearview mirror.

Chapter 4

Tom woke up sometime the next morning. His body ached from sleeping in the front seat of the Cherokee. He had fallen asleep in the driveway last night. He began to move his shivering body and slowly stepped out into the early morning light onto the driveway.

He unlocked the front door and performed his usual routine of checking all the rooms again, and as expected he found nothing or no one. He stopped when he saw the family computer and thought of Emily always posting on social media. He decided to login. He didn’t know her password, not because they didn’t trust each other it was just the need to know never came up before. He quickly began trying all the different ones he could think of when he heard a knock on the door.

He looked out the window and saw a shiny new green BMW SUV parked next to his Cherokee. He hustled downstairs and opened the door for his boss George Mercer. He realized for the first time it was Sunday morning. He had lost all track of time and at first thought George might be checking up on him when he didn’t show up for work, but not on a Sunday. Tom racked his mind trying to think of anything he was supposed to do for work. He wasn’t sure what he would tell George about what happened but he had to say something because there was no way he was going to go to work tomorrow.

Tom stood back as George burst through the door and walked directly into the living room. George was a large man with a very pleasant face. The kind that just made you comfortable as soon as you saw him. Many referred to him as grandpa, not because his age but because of his friendliness. He had thinning gray hair and a smooth face and two bright blue eyes. The man was born a salesman and could talk non-stop for hours on any given subject. Tom followed him into the living room and sat down opposite George on the couch.

George sat back and crossed his legs. So, Tom, I just heard what happened. Tom knew George and the Chief of Police were best of friends. They had grown up together and spent almost every vacation and weekend together so nothing got by George. Tom should have figured, but with his mind so busy he hadn’t even thought about work since Emily had left. Please tell me what happened? He had a smooth voice that just kind of hung in the air for an extra minute after he spoke and then sank deeply into your ears.

Tom loved to listen to George speak. He gave two meetings each week offering advice and knowledge that could not be found anywhere else. The man was just dripping with information and power. Tom felt so uplifted in his presence like everyone did. He had started Mercer Financial when he was eighteen years old and had grown it into a multi-million-dollar enterprise with offices and branches in five states. Tom had originally wanted to be an attorney and had applied to several law schools, but that all changed after he met George at a college seminar. As soon as he had finished college, he went to George’s office and was offered a job on the spot. He started out as an assistant and then a few years later he became a fully certified planner and was given control of his own clients. Tom loved every day of it.

Tom looked directly into the George’s eyes. I don’t know. Emily and Kaitlyn are gone.

I know that, but what about what you did. I saw the pictures and the report. Tom didn’t ask. He wondered about his privacy, but it wouldn’t matter anyway, George could get his hands on anything he wanted to.

I didn’t do anything George.

I believe you Tom. Emily and Kaitlyn are two of the nicest people I know. Tom kept looking at the computer. He could see the back of the large screen and began wondering what Emily’s password could be.

I miss them so much and just want to them back.

I want them back too. I want to let you know that you have the full support of Mercer Financial behind you and if there is anything you need you let me know. I’ll have Jack cover your clients, so don’t worry about that. Tom nodded and looked deeply at George.

Here was a man whose reputation was everything for financial clients and he was backing him. He knew George had lost his wife years ago. His wife had been hit by a drunk driver who had walked away, but Jenny hadn’t been so lucky. Tom watched as George stood up slowly and walked out the front door.

Tom couldn’t move. Everything was blurry. He just remained in place thinking about everything that had happened since he had come home Friday afternoon. He wasn’t sure how long he remained in place, but the next thing he knew the sun was starting to go down and he was sitting in front of the large monitor typing in password after password that Emily might use.

He was about to give up till he tried their wedding date. He couldn’t believe it, it logged him right in. He watched the desktop pop up and the latest picture of Kaitlyn filled the screen behind the icons. Tom immediately clicked on her email program and waited till the latest emails populated the inbox. He started clicking on each one looking for anything out of the ordinary. He felt a little strange reading through her private messages. He had always trusted her completely and never had reason to check her phone or computer before. Most of the emails were spam and messages from Kaitlyn’s teachers or the PTA. Tom quickly opened and closed those.

There were a couple of messages from a man called Roscoe Winston, whom Tom had never heard of before. He clicked on the first one and was surprised at the cryptic nature of the email. It mentioned that he would see her soon and to check Facebook for the latest. The second one was worded very similarly causing Tom to feel his hands begin to shake slightly.

He immediately closed the email and opened Facebook. Luckily, it opened right up without asking for a password. He took a deep breath. There on the screen were several messages from the same Roscoe Winston telling her they will be together soon and an emoji with a smiley face and a heart. Tom felt his heart sink thinking about the possibility of Emily meeting with some strange man.

Tom studied the man’s picture. He was a slick dark-haired good-looking guy with a cocky grin on his face almost telling Tom and everyone else that he had the girl now. Tom cringed and began clicking around trying to find out as much as he could about the guy. He finally found an address in some rural town in Pennsylvania. Tom wrote it down and walked away from the computer feeling suddenly very woozy.

He walked all around the house thinking of all the possibilities that Emily could have left him for another man. He started to think about her behavior the last few months and how she had been acting slightly distant towards him. He had figured it just being busy but now maybe it was all making sense. He felt sick to his stomach and stopped and vomited in the bathroom after walking past Kaitlyn’s room. He was on his knees wondering if he had caused the whole