A House on Eden

20. The Investigation

The next morning I felt strangely rested. I called Kevin at nine.

"Please tell Mr. Johnson I won't be in today," I said.

"What's happened, Jess?" He said.

"Bruce was here last night," I said. "He raped me."

"My God, Jess," he whispered. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I said, "except for bruises over my whole body."

"I should come see you," he said.

"No," I said. "I need some time alone."

"What if that bastard comes around again?" He said.

"He's not," I said. "Bruce is dead."

"Did you shoot him?" He said.

"No, I never got the chance," I said. "He knew about the gun and got it away from me."

"Then how did he die?" He said.

"He went through the kitchen floor," I said, "and was swallowed up by the basement."

"What?" He said. "Are you sure you weren't hallucinating?"

"No, I'm not sure," I said. "I was sick and dizzy from the pain, but I think that's what I saw. I think Bruce is dead."

"Where is his cruiser?" He said.

"At our house," I said. "His partner Pete dropped him off last night. Bruce thought he and I would both be driving home in my car."

"So his body is missing," Kevin said. "Have you checked the house?"

"Yes," I said. "There's no trace of what happened last night."

"Jessie, there's going to be an investigation," he said. "If what you're telling me is true, he'll be reported missing and you'll be the prime suspect. They always suspect the spouse first."

"But I didn't kill him," I said. "I wanted to, but I didn't. I never had a chance."

"Are you sure you're alright, Jess?" He said.

"I'm fine," I said. "Let me have the house to myself, Kev."

"Fine," he said. "I'll tell your boss you're not coming in today." He disconnected the call.

In the late afternoon, drinking a glass of wine on the porch, Beth stood at the fence and I walked over to her.

"Did you not hear me screaming last night?" I asked.

"No," she said. "What happened, Jess?"

"My husband came over and raped me," I said.

"My God, Jessie," she exclaimed. "I didn't hear a sound. Are you alright?"

"I'm bruised all over," I said, "but I'll live. That's more than I can say for my husband."

"What happened?" She said.

"He fell through the kitchen floor and got swallowed up by the basement," I said. "Bruce is dead."

She studied me with her eyes. "The house has its ways," she said softly. "Marjorie told me about it. She said the house took care of her."

"Then you know," I said.

"I only know the stories," she said.

"Do you believe them?" I said.

"Marjorie wouldn't make something up like that," she said. "Yes, I believed them. They were strange, but to me they sounded true."

"Where is Marjorie's husband?" I said.