Page 75 of Deprived No More

I’ve never had any concerns regarding school personnel. And Olivia’s daycare has been nothing but professional. I’m quite sure there’s no connection to anyone affiliated with the kids. My mind then changes gears to family. Yeah, I can scratch every single person off the subject list. There is no one suspicious in that bunch.

If Kat weren’t so adamant that it isn’t Mark, he’d be my first guess. But how would he possibly have access to a new phone number?

Sliding out my desk drawer, I pull out a legal pad and pen. I jot down various names and immediately cross through them, realizing they were not on the list of people Kat provided her new number. We haven’t used a sitter since then, wanting to keep people out of our home until the police could come up with some answers.

I finish off the last of my scotch and realize it’s now after one in the morning. I need to get some sleep. We will have to take Kat’s new phone to the police in the morning. Plus, I’d like to help her get the kids out the door since I’m quite certain she won’t sleep well tonight.

* * *

The morning greets us far too early, and I hit the shower to try to become alert enough to assist Kat in getting the kids ready. She doesn’t look much more rested than I am. I may have gotten an hour or two, thanks to the scotch. But the rest was quite restless.

As I head to the kitchen, I find Kat already has my coffee poured, and the kids all lined up with their backpacks and lunches to go to school. Jeez, does this woman need me at all?

“Daddy,” Olivia yells as she darts from where she’s standing to greet me.

“Hi, sweet girl. I’m glad I got to see you before you left. I’m sorry I missed you guys last night.”

With that, she wraps her little arms around my neck and drops her head on my shoulder. Looking over at the others, they greet me with morning smiles. These kids are amazing. I feel guilty when I can’t see them due to work, yet they show nothing but unconditional love for their dad. It’s in this moment I resolve to figure this out. Come hell or high water, I’m protecting my family.

Walking to greet the rest of the kids patiently waiting for their mother, I drop Olivia on her feet and give each of them a hug and a kiss. I can’t help feeling a little emotional. This is what truly matters. My children. My wife. My family. And if Kat wants to have another, once this nightmare is behind us, I’m all in.

“I’ll be back soon,” Kat says, giving me a quick peck as she ushers the kids to the car.

“Okay, drive carefully,” I say as I close the door behind her. Trudging over to my coffee, I take it out onto the deck to enjoy a moment of calm before returning to my study, where I’d been tackling this awful mystery last night. Sitting down in my Adirondak chair, I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. This place truly is heavenly. I need to center my thoughts if only for a moment.

Realizing my coffee cup is empty, I resolve to get a refill and try once more to figure this out before Kat returns, and we have to head to the police station. Pouring the rich brew into my cup, I inhale the aroma, hoping it will awaken my brain to something I haven’t noticed before.

Returning to my desk, I open the messaging app to begin playing that damn recording again. Looking down at the notes from last night, I scratch my head. What am I missing?

As I begin to jot down more possible names to consider, something about the recording I keep playing unexpectedly grabs my attention. Holding the phone close to my ear, I still can’t seem to make out the end of the call. Tapping the pad of my index finger against my lip, I sit with my eyes closed as I hit play again and again.

Hmmm. Maybe…Opening my desk drawer, I slide my hand inside and swipe across the contents. I rarely use them as my attention is almost always directed at my wife or my children when I’m here. “Ah, there they are.” Pulling my earbuds out, I open the case and slide them on.Maybe the sound will be a little clearer with these.

Returning to my task, I write down a few more names. It’s as if I’m on autopilot. Just reaching for anything that could guide me in the right direction. That one piece of the puzzle that could finally give us some closure. I find myself squinting harder as if that’ll allow me to hear better. Then as if the universe has granted my wish, I hear it.

Slam!

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

Nick

Holy shit. I’m going to fucking kill him.

I bolt so quickly from my desk chair it falls over in my wake. As I fling open my office door, I almost give Kat a stroke.

“Nick!”

“It’s Jonas.”

“What?”

“The mother fucker who’s been terrorizing you is Jonas.” I storm past her on my way to the front door when she starts screaming. Turning toward her in shock, I run back to make sure she’s okay. She’s practically hysterical. I can’t understand what she’s saying in my haste to get next door.

“I’m begging you, don’t do this.”

What the hell?Is there something going on between them? Hell, he’s the last guy I suspected.

“Nick. I almost lost you when I didn’t tell you what Mark was doing all those years ago. I was convinced if you knew, you’d go half-cocked and hurt him. Hurt him and us in the process. For the first time in years, I feel completely vindicated in that decision because you’re about to do that very same thing right now!”

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