Grey Skies

Obviously

Chapter 16

Helen

As I leave Michael's flat, going to my house, I realise my stupidity. He doesn't have a sister. He doesn't work on Mondays, so why did he have to call me? And he never, ever answers the telephone without screening it. I mean, from my perspective, if he really is guilty, he has the perfect cover up; he is handling part of this case, he could easily cover anything. But Michael? What can he do? And the question now is, what will I do? Will I let him think I know nothing, or let him be deprived of his livelihood? I certainly don't like him. I should let him think I know nothing. It will help the case, seeing what he has to say. But when should I talk to him, tell him I know what he's doing? What about my family, what will he do to them if he finds out? How dangerous can he be, how dangerous is he? I'll call him now, set a plan for tomorrow. And see how he answers the phone. A stoplight flashes red and my hand darts into my jacket pocket, finger on the home button as it scans my finger. It takes a couple tries, but Siri finally calls Michael on speaker just as the light changes. A few rings, and I hear "Hi this is Michael Chadwick. I screen calls, so this is normal. Tell why you're calling at the beep," Michael's voice, slightly tinny, repeats the monologue I've heard too many times. "Hello, it's Helen," I start. "Just calling to see if you are aware we're going to Berlan, Anne just sent me a text," I lie. I planned to tell him via text, but I needed an excuse to call him. I wanted to see if he answered or not. I pull into my driveway. My parents are coming tonight for dinner, it's Sunday. I'm glad to see them of course, but it means that I can't call Michael. Not that I am particularly excited to talk to him, I just want to confirm my creeping suspicion that he got a new number or phone. I walk into my house, hanging my jacket on a hook. "Ben?" I call as I enter the living room, right past the small entrance area, or mud room. "In the kitchen," Catherine sings, running up to me. "Dada's cooking, he just got off the phone with a patient, and Papa and Em-em are coming!" She's so excited, I have a feeling her smile won't fade, she won't stop screaming everything she says. It's darling, just a bit hard on the ears. I walk into the kitchen, the smell of chicken baking filling the room. "How was your day, at least the work part?" Ben asks, setting the chicken on the island. "Lovely. Can we talk about it later? It may frighten the girls," I say, lowering my voice. "Eating in the dining room or kitchen," he asks as he takes plates down from the cabinet. "Dining room, I think. Or do you want the kitchen?"

"Dining room sounds perfect," he says, and we set the table in the dining room. I carry the chicken to the table just as my mum and dad arrive. "Em-em and Papa! They're here!" Catherine and Grace sprint to the door. "Let us get into the house first!" Dad says. Rain has started to fall, and my daughters have stranded my parents, unprepared for rain, outside. "Hi Em-em, hi Papa!" Catherine shrieks, Grace has almost stolen them upstairs before Ben and I can say hello. "Hello Mum, Dad. I hope the drive wasn't too awful," I say, as Ben manages to say, "Nice to see you, Margaret and George," before Grace is showing them her newly rearranged bedroom, upstairs. Catherine follows as Ben and I finish getting food to the table. "Time for food!" Ben calls, and soon enough we are eating, Grace and Catherine telling them about my new case, with Ben and I filling in details they skip over. We don't, however, tell the girls about Michael. Catherine finishes the story with, "And Mummy's helping a real duchess!" After a lovely meal of chicken, carrots, salad and bread with Mum's chocolate pie for dessert, the girls are tired, and I have yet to have the conversation I've wanted with my parents. At 8:30, the girls are stifling yawns. "Time for bed?" Mum asks. "Nooo, I want to stay awake!" Catherine whines. 15 minutes later the girls are in bed, (It took quite some convincing to get Catherine to bed,) and Mum, Dad, Ben and I are in the living room, with tea. "Helen, darling, what did you want to talk to us about?" Mum asks.

"You all know Michael," I start before taking a deep breath, "I'm pretty sure that he has something to do with the kidnapping... and it can't be good. I thought about it tonight, and I'm almost positive that he's not the leader. He couldn't be. He has an attention span of a fly. So what I need to decide is wether to tell him what I think- after I'm certain, or let him continue on."

"I think it comes down to what you think is right. I mean, if he's involved, he shouldn't get away with it. But you could always wait until the case is solved, and he's found guilty." Mum says.

"From you tell us, it always seems as if he can't really plan anything, and he doesn't think things through. If so, he was probably lured into it-"

"Tha-" I cut Ben off.

"It doesn't make it right, I'm just saying you may want to wait until Berlan tomorrow morning, and see how he acts when he's around everybody." Ben finishes.

"Wait. That's the only advice I have, Helen. You aren't certain, so if he turns out not to be guilty, you'll feel horrible. But that said, you can read people well, analyse their actions. I trust you, but wait just a bit longer." Dad says.

"Okay.." I say out loud. "That helped. I just.. I don't know. I'll wait, and see, and if he is guilty, I'll do what must be done." I say, ending with a yawn.

"We should be going." Dad says, standing up from the couch. Mum follows, and then Ben and I. We walk them to the door, say goodbye, and as they're about to go, dad says one more thing.

"Do what's right. Do what's fair. If he did kidnap her, do you really want someone like that on the loose? On that cheery note, goodbye, and see you soon!"

I sigh as I walk back into the house, Dad's words echoing in my mind. Do you really want someone like that on the loose?

AN:

I'm back! The publishing schedule will now apply (as a minimum) for updates! I'll probably update tomorrow, so yay! And I have 660 reads. That's insane. I never in a billion years imagined I would get this many! Thank you!

~Phoebe