Hope's Chance(16)

“You know that bar we were at last night?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Someone went missing.”

I dropped the bacon on the plate. “You’re kidding?”

“Just tell us that you did in fact come straight home Chance.” Mark chimed in.

“I swear to you.”

“Did anyone see you driving alone? Did you stop anywhere that may have caught you on camera?”

Shit!

“No, I was alone. I swear to you that I wasn’t involved. I came straight home.”

Buffy looked over at Mark and then back to me. “The police are running surveillance. If they see your picture…”

I interrupted. “Okay, I get it Buff. I won’t go anywhere or leave town. Trust me, I know the drill.”

“Chance we aren’t accusing you of anything. It has to be a coincidence. A terrible coincidence.” Buffy said, but I knew what she was thinking. She was starting to second guess her faith in me. I was alone. I had no friends and now my own sister doubted my innocence.

I had suddenly lost my appetite, so I stuck my plate in the dishwasher and headed back to my apartment. I hated that everyone just assumed I was guilty. There was only one person that could prove my innocence, but I had already burned that bridge. The last thing I wanted to do was get her into trouble after I had crushed her spirits. I would get through this alone, like I always did before.

I waited all day and night for the police to put my face to the mug shot in the data base that they had of me. I watched the clock, wondering what was taking them so long. Finally when I had exhausted myself with anticipation, I fell asleep on my couch.

Loud knocking woke me up.

I stood up and stretched before heading to open the door. Two uniformed officers stood on the stoop. “Good evening Mr. Avery. We were wondering if we could have a word with you.”

I held my hand up and pointed inside. “Sure come on in.”

The officers sat down on the couch that thankfully was laundry free. “We are sorry to bother you tonight. Our database got a hit on you being at a bar last night. Since you are in the national database we were wondering if you could confirm that you were in fact at this bar last night.” He said as he showed me a picture of the outside of the bar.

“That’s right. I had dinner with my sister and her boyfriend. When it got late, I headed home.”

“Were you alone Mr. Avery?”

Damn.

“Yes.” I lied.

“Mr. Avery we have you on the outside surveillance cameras leaving with someone. The footage is not very good, but it was clearly a woman. Would you like to tell us what really happened?”

“A girl asked me for a ride home. I dropped her off outside of her community it was around ten thirty.”

They looked at each other and began writing down information. “Where was this community you dropped her off located?”

“It was off the main highway. I can’t be certain. She told me where to turn.” The lies kept on pouring out of my mouth. I was burying myself again.

“I see.” He grabbed something out of his uniform pocket. “Is there anything else you can tell me?”

“No, am I being charged with something?”

“Just don’t leave town kid. And if I were you I wouldn’t leave the house. We will be in touch.” He said as he laid his card on the table in front of me. “Here is my number in case you remember exactly where the girl lives.”

I saw the officers out, and watched my sister approaching me. “The officers said you left with someone. I knew you didn’t sleep naked. Why couldn’t you just tell us? Who was she?”

“Sorry Buff, I need to get some sleep. It has been a long day. Goodnight.” I said as I closed the door on her.

I ran my hands over my face. I was in a heap of trouble just like last time. This couldn’t be happening to me again. Could it?





Chapter 9


Hope



I hadn’t gotten much sleep, so when the alarm clock started blaring in my ear I picked it up and threw it against the wall. Immediately my mother came rushing in the room.

“Hope? Your grandmother is trying to rest. What was that noise?” My mother asked.

“Sorry Mom. It was nothing.” I said as I covered my head with my pillow. Once I heard my door close I took the pillow away and stared at the ceiling.

I heard my phone vibrating and picked it up.

Hope? Are you awake?

Obviously. What do you want Rylee?

When I got up this morning, I was eating my cereal and I saw something I couldn’t believe.

This better be important Rylee.

The night we went to the bar someone went missing from there. Can you believe it?

That’s horrible. It doesn’t really involve me though.

That is why I am calling you. The paper had an image of the guy they suspect.

Is it the guy that you left with?

No, it’s the guy you left with.

WHAT?

Yep, they don’t have a name, but I remember a hot guy when I see him.

It has to be a misunderstanding. He left with me. We were together until yesterday morning.

Do you think he returned once you fell asleep.

Um,no…

How can you be sure. You can sleep through a train wreck.