Page 46 of Detective Daddy Next Door

Elliecamebackhomefrom the hospital yesterday. I've taken time off work so I can be here for her. Garcelle’s been of great help too. She's been amazing. Sonya hasn't come back to see Ellie since the last time. When she saw Ellie in stable condition, she took off again to God knows where. Probably lounging in a hotel with a new lover. And to be very honest, I'm happy she's out of my hair. If her being here is only going to stress Ellie and me, then I think it's better for her to be away from us. I wish it was different. I wish she was here to hold Ellie's hand, but I guess it’s better this way.

I slither past the hallway and open the fridge to get milk and pour myself a bowl of cereal. My appetite has been shit for days. Even last night, I couldn't eat. But I woke up to a rumbling stomach today. I sit at the kitchen counter as I eat and stare at nothing in particular. It's been a rough week. A tough month, even. Bria and I are not in a good place. We talk, but it’s nowhere near what it used to be. I miss her. I miss everything about her. I can’t remember the last time she was in my arms. I can’t remember the last time we kissed or the last time she ran her fingers across my chest and back. It’s been strictly business between us.

Which reminds me, I’ve been expecting to get the files but haven’t heard from her, which strikes me as strange because she's always been serious and dependable with work. I'm not surprised she's doing this. I mean, she ignored me for weeks before we started talking again. If Jon hadn't texted me last night to inform me that we needed the files because we're expected to send them in by Tuesday, I would wait this out until she's ready to talk again.

When I'm done eating, I take the bowl to the sink and rinse it off, then set it in the dishwasher. I look out of the window, over at her house. She should be home. She never really sleeps over at her friends’. I can't remember if her lights were on last night. Just as I'm leaving the kitchen for my bedroom to see if I can get more sleep in before Ellie wakes up, the doorbell rings. I look over at the wall clock above a desk with books in the corner. It's really early. It's not even 4 a.m. yet. I hurry toward the door to stop whoever it is from waking everyone in the house. They're getting ready to press the button again when I open the door.

"Hi Myles," a beautiful dark-haired woman in a blue dress says.

I remember her from Bria's sister's wedding. I can't remember her name right now, but I know she's Bria's best friend. Why is she at my doorstep this early?

"Err, morning…" I squeeze my eyes trying to remember her name.

"Ava."

"Yeah, Ava. Umm. Come in."

Her hair is tied up in a white silk scarf, and she is wearing slippers. I look out before shutting the door. There's a car parked at the edge of my driveway. I assume it's hers. I’d been so lost in thought that I didn't hear her pull up.

I know something is wrong, but I'm not sure what it is. "Is anything the matter?"

"Have you seen Bria?"

I hesitate because I don't know how much she knows.

She sees my hesitation. "I know everything. Bria told me."

"Oh, okay. No, the last time I saw her was when she came to see my daughter at the hospital. I texted her yesterday though, about getting something for me, and she texted me back that she’d get it. I haven't heard from her since then. I just guessed she was ignoring me again like she did a while back. Isn't she at home?

Ava shakes her head. "No. I've been calling her. Her phone is switched off."

"Really? I haven't even tried calling her today."

"She's been staying at my place for the past week. Yesterday evening she said she was going to the office to get some files. I suggested I go with her because she's been getting threats, and someone's been watching her, but she refused. She said she'd be fine. I haven't heard from her since then. She's not at her house, and, like I said, she's been staying at mine. And if she wanted to come back to hers, she'd have told me and not switched off her phone, right?"

I make for the door. "Let's go check again to be sure."

Ava follows me and we go over to Bria's house. No lights are on, and her windows are shut. I knock on the door three times. No answer.

Ava shakes her head. "I know she can't be at the office. It's Sunday. No one is at work at this time. Something's fishy."

"Let's go check it out to make sure."

She’s hesitant. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's a long shot, but we have to rule out every possible place she could be, and that was the last place she said she was going."

"Alright, you're the detective."

I nod and look around. I point at her car blocking the entrance to the driveway. "Is that yours?"

She nods.

"Alright. You'll have to get it out of the way. I'll go get my keys. We'll take my car."

She makes for her car as I re-enter my house. I hear the engine of a car start as I enter my bedroom. A few seconds later, I'm out and we're off. We get to the office when the skies are beginning to light up. The morning sun is rearing its head. We knock on the locked front door. When there's no answer we go around to see if any windows are open, but none are. Nor are any lights on.

"She isn’t here," I say with my hands on my waist. Dread starts to creep through my nerves. I'd thought it was nothing. I'd thought nothing of her not texting me or calling to say she got the files. But now, I know something's wrong. She was receiving threats. Has someone harmed her? The thought immediately becomes too much to bear. I don't want to think of the possible scenarios.

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