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Online forums were flooded with chatter:
“Still no ID on the victim? No suspects? Come on, cops, get it together!”
“Cut them some slack. It’s an old part of the city, and there was a storm that night. Evidence probably got washed away.”
“Yeah, the cops are doing their best. Chill, people!”
“I heard the victim went to Bayport High. Is that true?”
“God, if that’s true, what a waste. High school senior, right? And wasn’t that the day test
scores came out?”
“Poor kid. Just starting his life, and now this,
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85 T
“What was he even doing out in the rain? Running away? No family to go home to?”
“Maybe he flunked his exams and couldn’t face his parents.”
“Or maybe he was mixed up with the wrong crowd. High–achieving kids can be shady too, y’know.”
“Let’s not spread rumors. Wait for the official report.”
The gossip soon centered around Bayport High, with students and parents speculating about the victim’s identity. My five–day absence didn’t go unnoticed, and my name quickly became a hot topic.
At home, my Aunt Rachel couldn’t sit still any longer. She stormed into the precinct, confronting Vanessa.
“Elijah’s been missing for five days! How can you not care? Are you even looking for him?!”
Vanessa’s voice was calm but firm.
“I got a package from him yesterday. He’s fine–just being stubborn and hiding from me.”
Rachel wasn’t buying it.
“Hiding? For five days in the middle of college admissions? You know he’s been dying to apply to the Academy! He hasn’t even submitted his forms yet. Does that sound like him to you?”
Vanessa’s face hardened.
“He’s throwing a tantrum. He’ll come back when he’s ready. And if he wants to retake his exams next year, I’ll pay for it.”
Rachel’s voice rose, full of exasperation.
“This isn’t about money, Vanessa! Yes, you make good money–your salary, Derek’s pension–but money can’t replace love! You’ve spent years pushing Elijah away, treating him like a burden. Do you think that’s enough? You think that’s fair?”
Thu, Mar 13
9.85%1
Her voice cracked with emotion.
“Do you think Derek’s death only hurt you? It broke all of us–me, Elijah–just as much! But you? You act like we’re nothing but collateral damage in your grief.”
Vanessa’s composure faltered.
“You don’t understand. You’re not me. You don’t know what I’ve been through.”
The two women were on the verge of an all–out fight when a young officer burst into the room, breathless.
“We found it! We found the victim’s phone!”
The room went silent as everyone turned to the officer.
Rachel stood helpless as Vanessa and the others rushed toward the evidence room.
11
