Murder at the McMasters' Residence

Chapter 10

The following day, Syl and I were home alone. Claire had a family business to take care of and Moss said he couldn't make it today. He probably had discovered that his box was missing and was tearing his little house down, except his precious bedroom, to find it. I really didn't give a shit. I was just happy he wasn't here.

My mind has on that box and what could possibly be in it for him to put a lock it. I had the urge to open it now but Syl was home and I really couldn't tell my husband about this. He would be so disappointed but he will know the truth eventually and will be glad when I tell him before our psycho, fake landscaper kills us both.

Or just me.

Syl was still asleep so I showered then got dressed [see picture]. Just as I was about to grab my coat, he woke up.
"Where are you going? It's like eight thirty babe," he asked, rolling over.
I hesitated for a minute. "I have a check up."
Liar. He knows that's not until next week.
"I thought that was next week," he said, grabbing his phone from the bedside table to check his schedule.
"Oh.. uh, yea. I made an appointment though for today."
Lies.
"You did?" Syl asked skeptically.
I nodded. "I just have a couple questions and stuff. Nothing serious, babe."
"And you don't want me to take you?"
Ugh what is this? 21 Questions?
"No, babe. I'm alright. Call you when I'm finished," I responded quickly, kissed him on the cheek then rushed out of the bedroom before he drilled me with more questions.

As soon as I was out of the house and down the street, I called Chelsea.
"What?" Chelsea groaned.

"Is Jared there?" I asked suspiciously.

"No, he just left. What is it?" she replied. Her voice was muffled.

"I'm on my way over. Syl is still at home and I need to see what's in this stupid box."

"At 8:30 in the morning?" she whined. "And you need me to be involved?"

"Of course, you're my partner in crime," I chuckled.

"Aria, I'm still in bed," she groaned.

"Ugh. Okay, I'm gonna grab some breakfast for us then head to your place."

"Good, get some coffee too. I like it just like my heart.. black. See ya."

I stopped at a nearby coffee shop to order the goodies for Chelsea and I. When I got in, there was a long line. I stood for couple seconds, contemplating to drive down the block to another good coffee shop. I shrugged then joined the line. Fortunately, the line was moving fast enough; I was three persons behind. I hummed to the slow jam of 'She will be loved'  by Maroon 5 coming for the speakers in the coffee shop. The guy in front of me turned around then blushed at me. I smiled politely back at him then continued to hum. He kept turning around, scanning my pregnant body from head to toe.

This is awkward.

"You're really pretty," he finally blurted out.

"Thank you," I replied with a tight smile.

"You look very familiar," he went on. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

I shook my head, waiting impatiently for the line to move.

"Ahh!" he exclaimed, as if it finally hit him where he knew me from. "You worked at What's New Magazine."

Oh no.

"Um, yes. A long time ago," I responded dryly.

He nodded stiffly then turned around, finally taking the hint that my days at What's New Magazine was the last thing I wanted to discuss this morning.

A couple minutes later I got the food then headed out of the building to avoid any further uncomfortable questions from the guy. Just as I swung open the door my eyes with the last person on Earth I wanted to see today.

Jonathon Moss.

"Well well well.. Mrs. McMaster," he said between his teeth.

"Mr. Moss," I grumbled, my heart pounding.

"Funny seeing you here," Moss said, scrunching his face up at me.

"What do you mean?"

"Your husband said you went to see the doctor," he replied with a suspicious look on his face.

"I stopped to get food," I snappe, then quickly headed to my car before he could say anything else.

That didn't stop the son of a bitch from asking why I had two coffees and an abundance of food.

"Because I am eating for two!" I hissed, "Now have a good day Moss."

I slammed my car door then sped off down the street, watching the whole time to see that he wasn't following me.

I was royally pissed off that Syl told him about my 'appointment'. 

Or did he?

I grabbed my cellphone from my bag and dialed Syl immediately. He picked up on the third ring, chirpy as hell while I was quite annoyed.\

"Did you speak with Moss this morning?" I snapped?

"Yea, he swung this by morning. Said he was in the neighbourhood. Why? Is everything alright" he asked anxiously.

I sighed. "Yeah, just saw him not too long ago at a coffee shop. Anyway, I'll see you later."

"Okay. I love you."

"Love you too."

I hit the end button then sunk into deep thoughts. Why was Moss 'in the neighbourhood'? He called this morning telling us he was taking the day off so why did he show up at the house?

Maybe he was being honest this time about being in the neighbourhood. He did work for other people where we lived.

Or maybe he suspected that I was at his house.