Journey of a Lifetime

Moving On

Moving on from Davey was a lot to take on. It was a chunk of my life. I sat and stared from the sofa whilst the news played on the television. It was unbelievable to me that he was gone, gone from this life. I felt lighter. Then the gate buzzer went off.

"Mrs Copeland, it's Officer Jensen from the local police. We have a few more questions about the happenings of the past week with Mr Smith" the intercom speaker spoke

I pressed the gate lock to let the Officer onto the property.

"Thank you, Mrs Copeland" he greeted at the door

"No problem, Officer" I say, urging myself to smile, motioning him inside

"Hi Officer, what can we do for you?" Adam asks, coming downstairs in his workout wear

"Mr Copeland, I simply have a couple of questions about what has happened this past week or so"

"It's fine babe, I got it. Head to the gym" I say, turning to Adam and seeing his concerned look

"If you're sure" he smiles and leaves

"Mrs Copeland, have you seen Mr Smith since that evening?" Officer Jensen asks, pulling out his notepad and pen

"No, it's been pretty quiet out here since. I last saw him at the station" I reply, keeping my breathing steady

"That would be the police station?"

"Correct"

He continues to write. "So, Mr Smith was released from the cell a couple days after. And you have not seen him since?"

"I have not seen him, I have not spoken to him. I've been home since then, with only my husband being here also"

"And where was he on the night of the incident?"

"Working"

"Have you spoken or seen Mr Shaw since then?" he continues

"I've texted with Joe over the past days, but have not seen him in person"

"And what is your relationship with Mr Smith?"

"Ex abusive partner"

Ha! Abusive? We let him.

"Relationship with Mr Shaw?"

"Close friend" I answer

"So over the past days, has it just been you and your husband here? Have you had any visitors?"

"Just us. A friend stopped by for a minute or so to borrow a car"

"So the stain on the gate and the pavement?"

"I haven't gone out to clean any of the mess from the night. The only time I've left the house was to grab a couple of dinners from the shops, along with some milk. It had gone sour and lumpy"

"It just seems strange, Mrs Copeland"

"The world is a strange place, officer. Have you seen Mr Smith since? Do you know if he's still in the country?"

"His passport has not been scanned since he entered the country"

"He could've left the state. He also could've gotten a fake one"

"Do you know where to have those arranged, Mrs Copeland?" he asks, eyebrow raised.

"No, I do not"

"How long have you known Mr Shaw?"

"I met Joe a couple years ago after I moved to Tennessee. We've been friends since"

Officer Jensen continues to question my going-ons for the next hour or so, wording questions differently to try and get me to confess to the suspected killing. They hadn't found anything, but Davey hadn't shown up anywhere. My breath remained steady, my answers simple. No one could make me trip up that easily. He walked around the large property following the questions. The snow had made the ground sludgy as he walked, his shoes wrapped in plastic.

"For what purposes is your friend borrowing a car?" Officer Jensen said, taking the plastic off his shoes as he stood by his patrol car

"To drive" I laugh

"Mrs Copeland..."

"They are hoping to impress a date, hence the Charger not being here" I continue, coming up with a simple and believable answer. "You can't deny it is an impressive car" I smile.

"Very well. I'll be in touch if need be" he finishes, putting his pad and pen in his pocket, the dirty plastic into a small bin bag, which he hands to me.

"I nearly went down to the police station instead" Adam said with a nervous laugh, seeing me back on the sofa later that day.

"Was just simple questions"

"Do I need to know any different alibis?" he asked, resting next to me, his arm stretched on the back of the sofa

"No, just that you haven't seen him" I reply, my mind exhausted