Chasing a Broken Butterfly

Chapter 21:

"What seems to be the problem here, Westmoreland?" McKinley asks while keeping his eyes glued to mine.

"This young man here is requesting Sheriff Linley. Says we weren't doing our job right," Westmoreland explains to McKinley.

Officer McKinley turns towards Mikey, "and who are you?"

"I'm...uhm...I'm her...I'm her friend," he stutters. He's obviously taken aback. I don't think Mikey actually planned for this. If anything, he probably imagined this whole scene to have been played out differently. He probably thought he was going to barge right in, knock some sense into the sheriff, and then get them to pledge that they would catch the culprit and then voila, everything would be okay again.

Officer McKinley turns his attention back to me and sighs in exasperation. "Listen, kid. I don't have time for this nonsense. Bringing your friend to testify for you doesn't necessarily help the situation," he pinches the bridge of his nose before continuing, "I can look up the call and trace the number as well as its location. Will that help you?"

I shake my head yes. I manage to whisper a thank-you, but that's about it. I'm afraid to speak for fear that I may say the wrong thing and push his buttons. The guy already believes I'm the one behind it all.

"Ok, go find Cortes and tell him to look up any calls made within the last week under the name Elle," he instructs Westmoreland before looking back at me to confirm that he got my name right. I nod my head again to let him know he got it right. I suppose being an officer requires sharp memory. Westmoreland turns to head towards the back of the building. He disappears behind the corner and leaves Mikey and I alone with McKinley.

"Thank you," I finally say, mostly to break the silence. "For doing this. I know that it may come across as a prank, but it isn't. I'm honestly scared and confused about everything that's happening."

McKinley stares at me hard and long before finally replying, "I sure hope it isn't, kid. Because if it turns out it is, I'm going to have to press charges. Can't let the other juvenile delinquents think they can play hide-n-seek with the police department. We mean business."

The tension is broken when Westmoreland finally returns with the guy that I believe is Cortes. He looks like a middle-aged man, with dark, wavy brown hair parted straight in the middle, and a toothbrush mustache to complete his Charlie Chaplin look.

"Cortes, did you get the files?" McKinley asks.

"Yes, sir" Cortes licks his lips, "we only have three calls down under the name Elle, sir. All from the same number, sir"

Why does he keep saying 'sir'? He looks kind of nervous. I feel bad for him.

"And what's the number?" McKinley looks at Cortes with irritation. Cortes looks embarrassed and fumbles with the papers in his hand before reciting, "it's (840) 719-2810, sir" and licks his lips again.

"Wait, can you repeat that one more time please? I didn't catch the last three digits," I look at Cortes' lips to make sure I read them correctly this time.

He licks his lips before reciting, "(840) 719-2810".

"Elle, isn't that...?" Mikey's voice fades out. Everything around me becomes muted for a moment. It can't be.

"That's my house phone," I croak. I'm still too shocked to really feel in control of what I'm about to say or do. "But I swear, I haven't made any of those calls," I protest.

I can see officer McKinley look between Cortes and Westmoreland as if he might be able to find the answer with them. After what feels like hours, he throws his hands up in the air in defeat and says, "Fine, let's make a deal. Say, I send two of my officers to keep an eye on your house tonight and tomorrow night and if there's no suspicious activity to report, we will leave it at that. However, if there is something to report, I'll have my men dig into it. How's that sound?"

I nod my head feverishly. "Yes! I mean, yeah. That's wonderful! Thank you. Thank you so much!" I bite my tongue down before I start babbling on too much and possibly make him change his mind. But I'm beyond grateful and relieved.

"Alright. Around 7 tonight, you'll probably notice a black sedan park across the street from your place, that will be us. Don't pay any attention to us. Just go about doing your normal routine and leave the investigation up to us. If there's anything to report, we will let you know the next morning. However," McKinley takes a deep breath, "If anything should happen while you're in the house, we advise that you keep calm and try to locate the safest and nearest exit if at all possible. My officers will do their best to ensure that you remain safe. Here is an earpiece that you can utilize during these two nights. What you want to do is put it in your ear, and what it does is allows you to be able to hear what the officers in the car are saying. This way they can let you know whether it's safe to exit your home or not. All clear?" McKinley raises his eyebrow at me to make sure I'm following along.

Ear piece is all I hear. I can feel my throat thicken, knowing that I should let him know that I can't really utilize anything that requires my sense of hearing. But I don't. Instead, I take the ear piece and thank him quickly before taking off through the front doors. I know I won't be able to hear his footsteps, but somehow I know that Mikey is right behind me. As soon as I feel a hand on my shoulders I turn around, "What do you want?"

"What the hell was that, Elle?" Mikey's stare feels like it's penetrating straight into my soul. It almost feels like he's the only one who gets to see me completely vulnerable and naked and suddenly I've become shy and I have no idea why.

"I don't know okay?" I know it's not my best answer, but I don't even know how to answer that.

"That's bullshit! They're trying to help you and you don't even let them know that you can't use their stupid earpiece because you can't hear!" If looks could kill, I'd be dead. I cringe at Mikey's choice of words. I know it's true, but it still stings.

"Can we just go home please?" I plead.

"Elle!"

"Mikey, please. I promise I'll let them know when they come tonight. Maybe they'll use hand signals or something. Okay? Please?" I don't know what else I need to do to convince him. I will tell them, just not right now. Yeah, sure you will my subconscious sarcastically remarks at me.

I look in his eyes for any signs of stubbornness or defeat. I think I see him slowly letting go, so I glance at his lips in anticipation.

"I just..." he starts off, "I just don't want anything to happen to you, Elle. If something seriously bad happens tonight or tomorrow and you let your insecurity about your hearing get in the way and harm you, I'd never forgive myself for letting you remain in your comfort zone in a situation like this," Mikey puts his hands in his pockets and starts to kick the pebbles in the parking lot.

"Nothing will happen to me, I promise. If the guy really wanted me dead or harmed, don't you think he would've done it already?" I know I'm trying to make light of the situation, but I didn't realize how horrible those words would sound.

"That doesn't help any," Mikey rolls his eyes. He opens up the car door for me before getting into the driver's seat. "Just promise me, Elle. Promise that you will tell them. Or I will," Mikey turns to look at me. I know I have to tell the officers or else I won't be able to catch whoever is behind it all.

"I promise," I say before turning my head to look out the window.
The whole ride back is spent in silence.