And then we met again

Chapter 1

It had been a long day at work and I was finally able to come home to take rest. My whole day had been spent: interviewing and finding more suspects of the possible murder of Jessica Sarwoski, a now once famous journalist. 

I went back outside to collect the mail from my driveway which had slipped my mind due to the billion other things that were swirling around in my head. While grabbing the mail from my mailbox I looked around to see how awfully quiet the neighborhood had gotten. It had been a while since I had encountered the noisy and playful children running around the street with their creative new games. This could have also been because I always came home late these days. But the smiles and the spark in their eyes always made my heart so warm and fuzzy. It made me feel happy that there were still people out there who still saw only all the good there was in this world. 

I sighed and started to walk back into my cream colored two story house while sorting through my mail. I placed the mail that was important on the kitchen counter and then threw the rest out into the dustbin. I headed upstairs to change out of my work clothes and take a quick shower. I headed over towards my closet and randomly grabbed some sweatpants and a shirt. The younger me would have scolded myself if I even wore something mismatching inside the house but at this point I could really care less. Either way there was nobody who was stopping by later this night anyway. I went inside the bathroom and took a cold five minute shower. It was getting closer to winter but I preferred taking a hot shower in the morning and then to cool off in the evening with a cold one. As I was applying lotion to my arms I heard a ear piercing scream from outside. 

My reflexes took over as I grabbed my robe and sprinted out of the bathroom to get my gun. Speeding down the stairs I opened the door and ran out to search for the source. Looking around it came to my attention that there was nobody there. Cursing to myself I realized I probably wasn't fast enough. 

I went back inside, locked the door and went upstairs to change into my sleepwear. I didn't bother drying my dark brown hair that now was almost reaching my waist. Heading downstairs I took out some vegetables from the fridge to make clear vegetable soup. I didn't have enough energy to create anything else. 

I dialed Stacy's number who worked behind the 911 responders. She picked up on the second ring. "Hey Ira! I don't think right now is a good time to talk. Is it okay if I call you back later?" "I know your at work, Stacy." I sighed. It sometimes frustrates me that people repeat things even after knowing the other person already gets the idea. Like she is only a work related friend so I do have the common sense to not go calling random people at night because that would be unprofessional.  "I know, but this is important." I say. "Okay. Fine. I can give you a few minutes. What do you need?" she replies back. I can literally imagine her rolling her eyes at me right now.

 "Okay. I just needed you to check whether you got a 911 call give or so 10 minutes back where I live." I state. "I'll give you a call back in like 5 minutes with the answer." she says and hangs up. I take out a knife and start chopping all the vegetables and then grab a pot to place on the stove. After putting water in the pot and cleaning the cutting board I stand next to stove to wait for Stacy's call. When I hear my phone ring I lean forward to grab it from the counter. I stare at the counter and feel like somethings off.  It takes me a few seconds to realize all of my mail cards are no longer there. Confusion and dread starts effulging me. Did I place it upstairs? I mean I never take it up unless their important... 

The ringing snaps me out of my thoughts and I hurriedly grab the phone. The last thing I want to do is piss her off. "Look, Stacy I'm sor--" "Shut up Ira and just listen. The answer to your question is yes. There were actually 2 phone calls around the timing you suggested. One was because of some strange noise a neighbor heard outside their house while the other swears they saw a sketchy looking group of people arguing outside of someone's house." "I know its not my place to ask this but could you please send me the address of these people?" "How can you ask me that knowing I can't do that?" she said angrily. "Their in my neighborhood Stacy. I can help fi--" "No you can't. Just stay in your limits. There police have been dispatched and THEY are the ones who will figure it out. Just stay out of it." I know I should have never asked her but I couldn't stop thinking who those people could be. I guess I would have to talk to the police. "Okay. Thanks Sta--" and she hung up the phone. 

I turn off the gas and head towards the living room to see if I there is any sight of the police. With them not being in sight I think that they must have already left. I turn off the lights in the living room and when I turn around I realize that the door is unlocked. Hadn't I locked it earlier??