The Disappearance and Reappearance Of Mr. Kingsley

The Fiancé

After being welcomed in, May gave her deepest condolences while Ethan just shook his head along to whatever was coming out of May's mouth.

"Ms. Dixon—"

"Please, call me Monica." She choked out, smiling half-heartedly.

"Monica," May paused, and composed herself, "what can you tell us about that night. Anything at all."

You could tell Monica Dixon truly loved her husband-to-be. She was ready to become Mrs. Kingsley. To have beautiful children and live a beautiful life. Now that may not ever be possible.

"He...uhm—" she fought herself to push out the words that went through her mind every second of every day.

"Take your time." May gently reassured, looking at Monica as if she was a beaten up dog on the streets. In some ways, she was.

"But ma'am we don't have too much time," Ethan said, rudely. May looked over at him, shaking her head disgustedly. She couldn't hate him any more.

"James left for work that morning at his usual time," Monica looked at her hands, "We had our normal call during his lunch break," she laughed, sadly, " We were planning on having a special dinner that night. You know, just to spice things up. He couldn't cook anything expect steaks. I bought the wine and everything..."

May felt her heart break into tiny fragments that would float into oblivion. The oblivion that would soon be Monica's life, if they didn't find her husband-to-be.

"What can you tell us about James, Monica?" Ethan chimed in, at least being a bit more sentimental. Unlike May, who was already a mess, and like most things, this didn't even give the slightest bit of emotion. He was a brick wall. Although, he wasn't when it came to May. Something about her just made him want to pounce. It tore him up inside.

"He was.... he was.... perfect." She sniffled, smiling, remembering her fiancé. This bothered Ethan, as now this case grew a little harder to solve. He planned a special dinner, meaning he had to have left in a hurry and without planning what he was doing, or where he was going. This also meant it was likely no one even knew where he was.

Also, the fact that Monica spoke so highly of him made it that much more difficult. If he had been an abusive junkie or maybe a drunk, that would give them some reason. But he wasn't. He was "perfect."

Apparently not.

"Anything else?" May asked, finally being able to continue.

Some speculate May was too emotionally involved. Ethan definitely thought that was so.

"I don't know... I mean... he was sweet, gentle.... everything a husband should be. You know what I mean?"

May paused, her husband briefly running through her mind. Her husband was perfect. He was sweet and gentle. Why did she lose control like that with Ethan?

"Yes, I do," May told her, smiling warmly. That smile was just a lie, as she might lose her perfect husband. Her happily ever after. Just because of one night with one, jerky guy.

Monica shuffled her feet, looking up at the massive picture on the wall of her and James. It was their engagement party. He looked so happy, so free.

"He always felt caged in this town," Monica said, abruptly, "he always told me we would run away to a new one. One with possibles. One with promise."

Now we're getting somewhere. Ethan thought, realizing this interview wasn't just a waste of time and May's useless tears.

"Could you elaborate?" He ever-so-excitedly asked. Maybe a little too excitedly.

"He only moved here because of his half-brother. He found out about him a couple years back."

"A half-brother?" May was startled. A new turning point in the case.

"Oh, you didn't know? His name is Seth Hines. He lives in the suburbs. Well, this entire town is the suburbs I guess."

A half-brother? Both of them thought, glancing at each other.

"What can you tell us about him?" May asked, even she felt a little bit excited. Their first clue. Their first chance to get more information.

"He's a really nice guy. He had to go to rehab a year ago, but he hasn't had a relapse. He's doing great." Monica tried to sound enthusiastic. How could she? She felt hopeless and useless in this whole situation. She just wanted to hold James again.

May jotted down "REHAB" in bold letters in her notebook, knowing this would be important.

Druggie Half-Brother Kills Victim.

Ethan could see the headlines now.

There was no evidence that Kingsley was murdered, nor was there any that Seth had anything to do with his disappearance. But, he knew that was how most of these things played out.

"Thank you for your time," Ethan told Monica, getting up from his chair, "We'll let you know if there are any further developments."

And with that, they had their first breakthrough.

Seth.