My Darkest Rose

Chapter 21

Found on the Property

He woke to the sound of chainsaws. The sun was up, and in the haze of wakefulness, he looked around the interior of the Jeep for Rose.

She wasn't there.

"Rose?" he called, ripping the garbage bag off the side door window only to be met by Mandy in her police uniform. Behind her, men in orange vests were cutting up the fallen tree.

The morning sun was blinding, and he had to shield his eyes as he climbed out. There were police officers everywhere, walking through the forest toward his house. But no sign of Rose.

"God, Jack," she said. "What the hell are you doing out here?"

"Where's Rose?" He realized how absurd that must sound, but she didn't seem to react.

"Will you put some fucking clothes on?" she said, "We have a search warrant."

"What?" He could barely hear her over the chainsaws.

"Put your clothes on!" she shouted.

Realizing at last he was just in underwear, he looked around the floor for his jeans. They were on the van floor, crumpled next to his shirt, the one Rose had worn. His heart skipped a beat as he thought of the night before, of holding her. Was she gone now? Gone forever?

As he pulled on his jeans, he looked around more. Detective Hernandez stood off to the side, watching.

"What's happening?" Jack asked.

"We have a warrant," Mandy repeated. She held a paper out for him.

"A warrant for what?" he asked, ignoring the paper.

The chainsaw sound stopped for a moment, long enough for Hernandez's voice to ring clear and loud through the trees. "Evidence to the murder of Eric Holstetter,"

Jack took the paper and skimmed the first few lines. He knew this was a possibility, but he'd forgotten. Since Rose appeared, and the creature, he'd forgotten all about the body found by the road.

And now what? Would they let him stay? Would they find Rose?

"I need to talk to my lawyer," he said to Mandy.

"You do that," Hernandez said, dismissively. He walked away, toward the house.

"Jack," Mandy whispered. "What the hell are you doing out here in the car? You look like a crazy person." She looked around the interior. "What's with the garbage bags?"

"That's kind of hard to explain," he said. Any explanation he thought of would only increase her suspicions that he'd truly lost it.

He could see about a dozen men in uniforms walking around the perimeter of the house, their faces turned toward the ground. He knew there was nothing for them to find, but it was still unnerving. And where the hell was Rose?

"I'm supposed to take you down to the station and get a statement," she said.

"No thanks," he said.

"Jack, please. Hernandez is letting me take you in when he should tell me to stay the hell away from you. If you cooperate now, I'll be able to help you," she said.

He shook his head no. He couldn't go to the station. He had to stay here and look for Rose. She must be so afraid.

She sighed. "At least come with me to get some breakfast. Let them do their work."

"I can't leave," he said. Despite his hunger, and a serious need of a cigarette, not to mention calling his lawyer, he wouldn't leave her. Not again.