Into the Unknown

Liz - September 21, 2019

            It's been two days since me and my fiancé made our visit to the Herman's residence. Unfortunately, William wasn't there. He happened to be out and around gathering groceries and running errands for his mother. Otherwise, if he had been there that day, we would have gotten the information we were looking for. As far as I know, it seems to me like that family is hiding something, possibly even suspicious. Only I'm not quite sure what it is exactly; I want to dig in and find out.

The station is anything but busy today. Barely anything moves within the confines of the building which is normal. Colleagues slowly continue their work almost begrudgingly, working as slow as snails. After all, this is the town of Princelan, the calmest and least drama-filled town in all of history.

Dust fills the stagnant air, revealing through the sunlit windows in my office, as well as the other offices along the same hallway. A mild scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the floral perfume I wear invades my office, giving me a happy feeling.

William texted me earlier this morning, notifying me that he would be by in about 10 minutes from now. I let him know that he didn't have to worry about being interrogated; this talk would be nothing like that. It would be casual, informal. While I wait for his arrival though, I look through my e-mail, checking for anything new I might have received. Sure enough, there's an e-mail from my mother. Within the digital letter she's addressed to me, she lets me know what's going on with the family back home in Washington. Apparently, my father has been having health issues, but my mom doesn't want me worrying over it since my sister is there to help them out. But of course, I'm going to worry about him because I care. Luckily, before I forget, I make a reminder on a sticky note letting myself know that I need to make a trip back home sometime soon. I place the note on the bottom metal bar of my computer monitor along the other notes I've made.

With my coffee mug in hand, I sit back in my desk chair, soaking in the heat of the sun. I close my eyes for what feels like a few seconds, but it must have been minutes because suddenly William appears outside my office, knocking on the doorframe.

"Oh, sorry, come on in." I get up from my chair, greet him, motioning him towards the guest seat I have adjacent from mine on the other side of the desk.

William sits down, clearing his throat. "Thank you, and sorry I'm late." He checks his wristwatch, almost nervously.

"No, it's alright. I wasn't expecting you to come this early anyway. Really, it's nothing to worry over," I tell him, trying to break the layer of anxious ice between him and I. Placing myself back into my own seat, I pull my sweater tighter around my petite body.

"So, my mom told me that you wanted to talk with me?" He puts his hands on his lap, placing one hand atop the other.

I shake my head in an up and down motion. "There's just a few questions I wanted to ask you, that's all. It won't take much of your time, I promise." Attempting to give him a convincing smile, it seems to work because his shoulders suddenly become relaxed and free of tension.

Without him knowing, I've stealthily set my phone on the desk with my audio-recording app on and operating, allowing myself to record, listen, and playback our dialog whenever I'll need to.

"So, William, have you heard anything from your father since you've come back to town?" I take a sip of my coffee, tasting the black bitterness.

"Not really, no." That's all he says; a forward answer, although vague at the same time.

I raise an eyebrow, not sure of his answer. "Is that the truth, Will?"

He shakes his head, nodding in agreement. "It's true, Liz. I haven't heard anything from him since we left New York at my dad's business' headquarters."