"Just didn't sleep much."
"You look exhausted. Take your break early."
I thanked her and went to the staff room.
I had just opened a bottle of water when my phone rang.
The number was unfamiliar.
"Hello?"
"Is this Ashley Bennett?"
"Yes."
"My name is Officer Miller. I'm calling from the police department."
My hand tightened around the phone.
"Why?"
There was a brief pause.
"Do you live at 18 Willow Lane?"
I couldn't speak.
"Miss Bennett?"
"Yes. I live there. Or—I did. What's happened?"
"Have you been at the property this morning?"
"No."
"Do you know whether your mother is there?"
"She was when I left last night."
Another pause.
Then he said, "I need you to listen carefully. There has been an incident at your home."
My legs felt weak.
"What kind of incident?"
"Your stepfather's birthday gathering was scheduled for this afternoon, correct?"
"Yes."
"Did your mother tell you to stay away from the house?"
I closed my eyes.
"Yes."
"Did she give you anything before you left?"
My heart seemed to stop.
"Why are you asking me that?"
"Because we need to establish where certain documents are, and your mother has specifically asked us to contact you."
I gripped the edge of the table.
"Is my mom hurt?"
"I can't discuss everything over the phone."
"Is she alive?"
The officer's voice softened.
"Your mother is alive, Miss Bennett."
I began to cry.
"Then tell me what happened!"
"There's been a serious incident involving your stepfather and several guests. You need to come to the station as soon as possible."
"What happened to Richard?"
"I would rather explain that in person."
"Did someone die?"
He didn't answer immediately.
That silence frightened me more than a direct answer would have.
"Please," I whispered. "I need to know."
"One person has been taken to the hospital. Several others are being interviewed. Your mother is safe, but she has asked us to make sure you don't return to the house alone."
My breath caught.
"Why would she say that?"
"That's something we need to discuss with you."
I ended the call only after he gave me the address of the station.
My hands were shaking so badly that I nearly dropped my phone.
Linda found me standing in the staff room, staring at nothing.
"Ashley? What's wrong?"
"I have to go."
"Are you sick?"
"No. Something happened at home."
She took one look at my face and immediately called the manager to arrange coverage.
I grabbed my jacket and ran outside.
The nearest bus wouldn't arrive for twelve minutes.
I considered calling a taxi, but I had less than forty dollars left.
I couldn't afford to waste it.
I paced beside the bus stop, looking at every passing car.
At 2:18 p.m., the bus finally arrived.
I sat near the front and watched the city pass through the window.
My mind kept returning to the same question.
What had my mother known?
And why had she been willing to let me believe she didn't want me anymore?
Chapter Four: The House Surrounded by Police
When I arrived at the police station, Officer Miller was waiting near the entrance.
He was in his forties, with tired eyes and a calm manner that made me feel both reassured and terrified.
"Ashley?"
I nodded.
"Come with me."
He led me to a small interview room.
A woman in plain clothes sat at the table. She introduced herself as Detective Harris.
"Your mother is in another room," she said. "She's asked to see you, but before we bring her in, I need to explain what happened this morning."
I sat down.
My hands were still shaking.
"Is Richard dead?"
"No."
I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"Then what's happened?"
Detective Harris folded her hands.
"At approximately 1:40 p.m., officers responded to a call from your stepfather's home. A confrontation occurred during preparations for the birthday gathering. Your stepfather was injured, and several people witnessed the incident."
"Who hurt him?"
"That is still under investigation."
"Was it Daniel? Michael?"
"We're speaking with both of them."
I stared at her.
"Why would my brothers hurt their own father?"
She exchanged a brief glance with Officer Miller.
Then she said, "Ashley, this may be difficult to hear. We have reason to believe your mother had been experiencing serious intimidation and financial control for years. We also recovered documents from the property that may be relevant to the incident."
I felt a strange pressure in my chest.
"Mom told me to leave last night."
"Yes."
"She wouldn't tell me why."
Detective Harris nodded.
"She was trying to keep you away from the house while a plan was put into motion."
"What plan?"
"Your mother had contacted an attorney and provided information about financial misconduct, threats, and other matters involving your stepfather. She believed that he had discovered she was preparing to leave him."
My mouth went dry.
"Leave him?"
"Yes."
I couldn't reconcile the words with the woman I had seen the previous night.
Mom had spent thirteen years making herself smaller so Richard wouldn't become angry.