Page 73 of His Loving Wife

What Went Wrong?

Authorities are seeking information about what might have taken place inside the Rogers household this past Friday night. Daphne Rogers, 48, was found on Sunday afternoon beside her two children, Zachary, 17, and Rose, 16. All family members died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Cal Rogers, 47, was found in the family’s basement. He also died from a gunshot wound, although several sources are reporting that his injury may have been self-inflicted.

“I just don’t understand,” says Yvonne Westbrook, their neighbor across the street. “They were a perfectly normal family. There were never any signs of problems. I don’t get how something like this could happen.”

When asked how she would describe Cal Rogers, Westbrook said he was “quiet, shy, but always involved with his family.” No one in the family had criminal records, and there were never any suspicions of domestic violence. Although Cal Rogers reportedly lost his job last month, a close friend says the family was recovering and doing better than ever.

“It just doesn’t make sense,” said our source. “You don’t expect something like that to happen to a family like this.”

If you have any information about the Rogers family, please contact San Diego PD.

My eyes find Cal Rogers’ face. He’s smiling, a hand placed on the shoulder of each child. He’s wearing a belt and tie and glasses. He doesn’t look like a killer. Doesn’t look like the type of person who could murder his whole family and then kill himself. And yet, the article suggests that’s the working theory.

My body shivers. I’m sickened that Andrew was ever cordial with Cal Rogers. How could he be connected to someone capable of committing such a heinous crime? Then again, as Cal’s own neighbors attest, there was no way of predicting he was so fragile.

The men in the group should have known. They are being open with each other in a way they feel they can’t with the people in their lives. This camaraderie is supposed to help them, not push them in the opposite direction.

I grab my cell phone and try calling Willow, then Noah. Both their phones go straight to voicemail. They’re too far out at sea. My own phone is about to die, so I plug it into the charger in the living room. Back at the computer, I retrace the messages, trying to see if there’s anything else that might make sense of what happened to the Rogers family. I halt when I stumble across Vincent’s full name: Vincent Leroy Fowler.

I type it into the computer, curious to see what comes up.

The page fills with recent news articles, nothing else.

Police Name Fowler Person of Interest in Family Murders

Police are still asking for any information that might lead to the whereabouts of Vincent Leroy Fowler. It’s been over a month since investigators tried to find him in the wake of his family’s murder.

I clasp a hand over my open mouth, continuing to read.

His wife and teenage daughters were murdered inside their home. It wasn’t until the local high school conducted a welfare check that the bodies were discovered. No one has had any contact with Vincent Fowler since that time.

“They were two very sweet girls,” Sherriff Hickey says. “And by all accounts, Melissa Fowler loved her family. We don’t know what happened behind closed doors that night, but we’re wanting to talk with Vincent Fowler so we can find out.”

Below the article is a picture of Vincent. He looks crueler than he does in person. Dangerous. There’s also some noticeable changes. The beard and head of hair he sports in the picture are gone now, just as his suit has been replaced with tourist-wear. I’m surprised he could have avoided detection from the police this long, but it’s been over two months since that article was written, and he’s clearly free.

A new terror takes over me. What if Cal Rogers wasn’t involved in his family’s murder after all? What if Vincent was responsible? If he has the gall to hurt his own family, what would stop him from destroying someone else’s? I think back to what Vincent said earlier. About finding his purpose, a way to help other men. Whether he’s working with Paul or not, it appears Andrew has underestimated the danger of the man he’s invited into our lives.

A notification flashes on the computer. I’ve received an email. It’s an automated response from the jammer business, West Coast Surveillance.

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your inquiry. We’ve looked up your purchase information, and a customer representative will contact you shortly.

Product Number: 80097564

Customer Name: V. Fowler

“Knock, knock.”

I jump back in my seat. The fear grips tighter when I see Vincent standing in the doorway.

Chapter 39

Now

I stand, hurriedly, looking out the window. There’s a momentary rush of relief when I see Noah and Willow still standing on the boat. They’re safe, for now.

I look back at Vincent and try to smile, even though the thought of being near him makes me tremble. “You’re back.”

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