To Disappear

A timid knock and Donna poked her head. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but there’s a call for Amanda.” She pointed at the phone. “Line three.” She ducked out, the door snipping closed.

The detectives donned their headphones, pushed record on the cassette player then gave Amanda the cue to answer.

“Amanda Granger,” Amanda said hoping her voice didn’t tremble.

“Didn’t you like your rose, Princess?” a filtered voice said, followed by a long stretch of air. “Why did you throw it away? I thought women liked roses.”

A slight tonal inflection, the hint of an accent, and Amanda’s heart raced, receiver seized in an iron grip.

The lead detective waved at a uniform, the man disappeared out the door.

An amused chuckle. “You’re not at your desk, so that means you found your friend. Are the cops listening? They would have had to work fast to get a warrant if they are.”

The lead detective flicked his fingers for Amanda to continue.

“Why do you care?” Amanda snapped. “You didn’t even let me reply to your demand.”

“Sometimes you have to let people know you mean business,” he answered. “Make the first move.”

“So you took both of my friends?” Amanda questioned. “You brought Karen back, where’s Lucy?” An exasperated breath. “You enjoy hurting people?”

“Sometimes,” the man admitted. “That’s what makes life work. Control for your good. Isn’t that how it works with a job interview, or an audition? Skew the results in your favor?”

“You’re going to kill Lucy, aren’t you?” Amanda asked, defeat in her tone. “You have no intentions of returning her.”

“Oh, no!” he said, shock in his voice. “I would never kill her! She is almost as perfect as you are. Do you think I’m insane?”

“Yes,” Amanda answered flatly. “I know you are.”