Smoke & Mirrors

Chapter 8: Polaroids

He watched her get out of the car and begin to walk, she looked so elegant in her tight light pink winter jacket with a pale purple scarf wrapped around her neck. He thought about how easy it would be to snatch her in to one of the allies that lined the street and snap her neck. His throat tightened as a ball of desire filled him and he bunched his hands into fists to stop himself from acting on this thought. She was going to be more than just a victim he reminded himself, she is part of a bigger plan. He followed behind her soon after she entered the building, her scent still lingered in the lobby, and he took a moment to breathe it in.

***

Elliot waited in the line-up for 10 minutes before the new small red-haired girl took his order. He ordered two large coffees and took his place at the side of the counter behind several other people who still waited for their orders. The coffeeshop was a mess of people and seemed extremely busy this morning and Elliot noticed the regular barista was nowhere to be seen. In the back of his head, he thought about why Allison had changed her mind and wanted to walk to work. Everything had been silent in the car, and he wanted to ask her how she was feeling but didn't want her to feel pressured to talk. His mind fell on the words she said before they walked out of the door "I love you for that" he wanted to say them back right there, but he wasn't sure she had meant to say them. Elliot's mind lingered there for a while before he thought this had been the reason, she needed air and if it was, she needed to know he felt the same about her. He removed his phone from his pocket to check the time, she should be at the office by now he thought. He opened his messages and texted Allison a quick message:

ELLIOT (TEXT)

SORRY, THIS IS TAKING LONGER THAN EXPECTED. HOPE YOU GOT TO THE OFFICE; I'LL BE THERE SOON.

No answer, Elliot's chest filled with dread, and he thought about all the things he should have done. He should have dropped her of first, walked with her, asked her to wait in the car, told her to come in with him, anything that would have prevented her from walking alone down that street. He watched the minutes tick by as he waited for his order and his patience began to faulter. There were still three people in front of him when he walked to the till and asked to speak to the regular barista, Melanie.

Tears filled the eyes of the new redhead as she began to speak,

"Um, I am sorry, but Melanie is, I mean was," She took a deep breath and tried again to speak. "It was Melanie's body that was found last night." She said as the tears began to fall onto her cheeks.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry, are you sure?" Elliot asked.

"I spoke with her mother this morning, yes I am sure it was her." the redhead composed herself and handed Elliot the two coffees. "Sorry for the wait but as I am sure you can tell we are short staffed this morning."

"It's okay." Elliot took the coffees and sprinted to the car. He put both coffees into the cup holders and started the engine and sped down the street. He scanned the allies for Allison, his body filled with panic as he entered the building and rushed up the stairs. He prayed as he jogged through the hallway toward the office and opened the door.

Elliot scanned the room, his eyes searching for his girl, and he found her sitting at her desk with her head down. He let out a breath and crossed the office to her desk in only a few quick steps. Her eyes were closed but they were puffy, and he could tell she had been crying.

"Allison?" He said in barely a whisper. She lifted her head and looked up at him in confusion. Elliot let out a sigh of relief, when she opened her eyes.

"Where'd you go?" She asked.

"I went to get coffee; didn't you get my message?" He answered as a confused look crossed his face.