Page 19 of The Me I Left Behind

“And if they do?”

Julia exhaled again. “Stall them as long as possible. Tell them it’s your house, your husband is away on business, the kids are at school, and you are there alone, and that no one has tried to break in.”

“Maybe I should tell them Max is crazy as a fruit fly, and he makes shit up all the time? That it was me in the house all along?”

“No.” Julia paused for a moment. “Less is more, Mags. The less you say, the better. And you don’t want to accuse Max of anything. Even crazy. It sounds suspicious and could open a Pandora’s Box full of more trouble for you.”

“Alright. Got it.”

“Let’s just hope it won’t go there.”

Maggie wished that would be the case, but she was worried. “Should I clean up the office? Just in case they have a warrant and want to look?”

“Maybe. If they see a mess, and the broken door, they will question.”

“What if I tell them that one of the kids locked themselves inside and I had to unhinge the door to get to them?”

“That might work. Except for the footage.”

“Right. And if it doesn’t?”

“Then say nothing. If they take you in, I’ll be there in less than two hours as your attorney. Say nothing. Give them nothing, Maggie. Understand?”

“Yes. The kids?”

“I’ll make sure they are okay.”

“Fine. Right.”

The front doorbell rang just then, startling Maggie. “Shit.”

“What was that?” Julia asked.

“Doorbell.”Fuck, fuck, fuck….

“Hold on, I’m pulling over.”

Maggie waited.

“I’m back,” Julia said. “Mags, listen to me. Look out the window. What do you see? Patrol car?”

Maggie rushed to the office window and pulled back the heavy draperies a little. A sliver of fear inched up her spine, circled around to her chest, and landed in her throat. Suddenly, she was cold. Very cold.

“Shit, yes, Julia. It’s the cops. There’s a car sitting out front on the street.”

“Can you see anyone?”

“No. I can’t see the porch from here.”

“Alright. Listen to me. Keep this phone on. I’ll stay quiet. Put it in your pocket or something. Go answer the door.”

“I can’t do this.”

“Maggie, you can.”

“I’ll try.”

“You will be fine.”

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