Chapter 2 - THE BLUE SUITCASE
“Claire, stop.”
Graham's voice followed her up the first two steps.
She turned.
“I'm getting my phone.”
“Then ask someone to bring it down.”
She stared at him as if he had slapped her.
“Are you seriously taking a child's story over mine?”
“I'm asking why you won't stay here.”
Ellis spoke quietly to Reed.
The younger officer guided Maya to the bench beside the door while Ellis asked Claire about the suitcase.
“It's mine,” she said.
“And this is humiliating.”
“You reported missing property,” Ellis answered.
“Your son has identified a possible location.
Will you show us?”
For several seconds, Claire said nothing.
Then she lifted her chin.
“Fine.”
Graham stayed downstairs with the boys.
He wanted to follow, to see everything, but Luke's hands were locked around his wrist.
“Is Maya going to jail?”
“I don't know what's happening yet.”
The words tasted weak.
“But we're going to find out.”
Maya watched Reed check the cuffs.
There were red marks above her hands.
Graham looked away, then forced himself to look back.
“Did they hurt you?”
“They're tight.”
Reed adjusted them.
“Thank you for telling me.”
From upstairs came the scrape of wheels.
Then Claire's voice, higher now.
“I must have packed it and forgotten.”
Ellis returned carrying a velvet pouch in a gloved hand.
A sapphire necklace lay inside.
The same one Claire had worn to their anniversary dinner.
“It was in the suitcase's inside pocket,” Ellis said.
Claire followed him.
“I was planning a trip.
I put valuables away all the time.”
“And the bracelet?” Graham asked.
“That was in Maya's bag.”
Ellis turned to Maya.
“Did you see anyone near your belongings today?”
“My bag was in the laundry room.
I was upstairs with Luke after lunch.”
Claire snapped, “She knows every room in this house.”
“And you know where I leave my purse,” Maya said.
It was the first time she had spoken without apologizing.
After another conversation with Reed, Ellis had the cuffs removed while they continued their inquiries.
Maya rubbed one wrist, then stopped when she saw the boys watching.
Graham reached for a blanket on the bench.
She shook her head.
“I want my phone.”
Claire's mouth tightened.
Reed brought Maya's bag from the laundry room.
Maya checked inside without touching the evidence pouch on the console.
Her wallet was there.
Her keys were there.
Her phone wasn't.
May you like
“I left it right here,” she said.
From inside Claire's sweater pocket, a phone began to ring.
