A local woman missing- Mary Kubica

at Charlotte’s, tears well in his eyes. He doesn’t answer with words.
He doesn’t need to.
I finish my glass of wine and Bea brings me another. She switches
topics to something more light. She and Leo get lost in a discussion
of superheroes with the best superpowers. I don’t join in. My mind is
elsewhere, circling on three things: What is happening at Josh and
Meredith’s house? Who did Cassandra see on the Dickeys’ lawn that
night? How can I meet Dr. Feingold for myself?
We’re playing charades when Josh comes for Leo. We’re in the living
room. The TV is on but muted. For the last hour or so, Bea and I
have watched the news ticker at the bottom of the screen warn us
that we’re under a severe thunderstorm watch. As I open the door for
Josh, I see that the world outside has turned ominous. It’s late and
dark; he was with the police for hours.
I welcome Josh in, pressing the door closed against the weight of
the urgent wind. Josh rushes to Leo, where he scoops him into his
arms. They talk about Leo’s day. Leo asks where Mommy is. Josh
hesitates, and I feel for him, having to come up with an answer to
Leo on the spot. As with Bea, it’s a lie. The truth would be too much
for Leo to handle right now, especially when none of the adults in his
life know what the truth is. Where is Meredith?
“Mommy is at work,” he says.
“When will Mommy be home?” he asks. His voice is small,
discreet, like he doesn’t want Bea and me to hear.
“You know how it goes, Leo,” Josh says. “Sometimes we don’t
know when Mommy will be home from work. But she’ll be home as
soon as she can. I promise you that.”
We let Leo pick out a cartoon. Once he’s fully immersed in it, Bea,
Josh and I slip into the kitchen where we can speak in private.
“What happened?” I ask Josh. I go to the refrigerator, offer him a
beer. Bea warms his dinner and brings it to the table, though, as
expected, he doesn’t eat. Josh looks beat, disheveled, undone. He
hasn’t shaved in two days. I’m not entirely sure he’s slept or
showered.