The One Who Didn't Die

6. Can You Tell Me Why?

*Edited

I walked into Munch and sat down at a table waiting anxiously. Every time the door opened, I looked up to see if it was Riley.

"Sorry I'm late." She said taking a seat across me.

"What do you have for me?" I asked not taking note of what she had said.

"You were right to suspect that something was off. I decrypted the phone and asked one of the psychologists I know to try doing a psychoanalysis based on it. He said there was nothing on it that would lead him to think she was suicidal, her day to day plan was almost symmetrical and all on her phone, she was working out and kept good communication with everyone." She said and I was becoming rather excited about the prospects of the investigation.

"So I dug deeper into the name you gave me. The guy was in prison but he got out four years ago on a technicality." She said slowing down. "He is known for working with a partner," She pulled out a picture, "This guy, do you know him?" She asked placing it in front of me. I knew there was more than one kidnapper the first time Daphne and I were taken but I also knew that it was not this man who was one of them.

"No, I've never seen him." I said shaking my head.

"Okay, I have not been able to find Benjamin yet but his accomplice was easier to get a hold of." She said pointing at the photo when she referred to the accomplice. "I was able to get a cold case on him reopened and that means we have the leverage and depending on how loyal he is to Benjamin, he'll talk but I would discourage getting your hopes up." She said crossing her arms.

"So you want to use him since Benjamin isn't an option right now." I said elaborating on her plan. She nodded.

"Yeah he needs to get out and if he starts talking, he could get a reduced sentence. The thing is, Benjamin keeps moving around every seven weeks with no particular pattern that would help me find him." She said shrugging.

"Well then I need you to get a step ahead." I said sternly. Obviously I was more than pleased with her work but my patience was growing thin.

"I know, I also know that without Benjamin, there is no proving that this was foul play or even murder. There was no psychoanalysis done on an actual person, the autopsy could be a sham and there's a possibility of multiple people being paid off, I've seen it many times and following the money trail isn't as easy as one would hope." She said leaning in closer to me. "I have to find Benjamin but I also need you to be patient." She said.

"I'm doing everything I can. I will get you what you need, complicated things like this don't get solved overnight." She said standing up and I called over the waiter to order some coffee.

I drove back to Daryl's house and saw all the lights were already off. I walked to his room and found him sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Where have you been?" He asked not looking at me.

"I just went out for a bit." I said confused as to why I needed to answer to him.

"You weren't picking up your phone." He said and I pulled my phone out to see eight missed calls and I also noticed the time then, 11 o'clock.

"I'm sorry, the ringer was off." I said walking over to the closet to grabbing just an oversized shirt. My back was to him but I could feel and hear him coming closer. "Is it okay if I stay the night? I don't think I want to be alone right now." I said not turning around to him.

"Sure." He agreed but sounded despondent.

"Is something the matter?" I asked finally turning around.