Grounded
CHAPTER 11

The office was as silent as a graveyard as Monte listened attentively to Marie who was almost close to tears. Ken stood behind Marie and Gina, listening patiently too and observing Monte's expression. "She has been missing for over a week now and you come to the Police to make a report today? She could be dead for all we know." Monte remarked harshly.

Ken looked at him sternly when their gaze met to let him know he was overreacting.

"I'm sorry; that came out wrong. I'm stressed and it is taking a toll on me, do forgive me." Monte pleaded trying to avoid eye contact with Gina and Marie who were already surprised at his behavior.

"She is a grown woman," Gina stated, "sometimes she travels for emergency business meetings without informing anyone. We were not so worried at first because we could reach her on phone, only she was not taking her calls. We became worried when her phone became unreachable and there has been no sign of her been active on social media and it has been over a week." She explained to Monte who exchanged short glances between her moving lips and Marie's sad face. "How are you related to this woman?" Monte asked with laxity in his voice.

"We are her employees; we work for her at Cadbury's Place Downtown." Gina replied patting Marie's back to console her.

"This report is supposed to be written down at the counter and the report handed to Hazel.

This is how things are done here." Monte said trying to act cool.

"I know that sir, but this is an emergency. I wrote down a statement some weeks ago concerning my car that was stolen right in front of this Station but what have you and your men done about it, nothing." She replied sternly in a loud voice. The room suddenly became too hot and stuffy for Monte to breathe properly.

"What is the name of the missing woman?" he asked becoming sober.

"Lydia," Marie replied, "Lydia Evans."

Monte suddenly leaned forward, widening his eyes and casting a glance at Marie intently.

"Does she have any relatives from whom we could get some vital information?" he asked, his heart racing.

"No." Marie replied curtly looking at Gina.

Monte's heart began to pump faster, there was a ringing sound in his head.

"No husband, sister, son, daughter or any extended relatives?" he asked again looking at both women as they sat still before him.

"None that we know of." Gina blurted without batting an eyelid.

"Alright." Monte said dejectedly, rubbing his palms together in frustration.

"What are we being promised this time?" Gina asked him with scorn in her voice.

"We'll do our best ma to make sure that she is found." Monte replied ignoring the accusing look Ken was giving him.

The duo rose their feet and made to the leave the office.

"Please, do leave a statement with Hazel at the counter." Ken advised as they departed silently.

He took in a seat in front of Monte as the door tugged shut and pulled the seat closer to Monte.

"Don't we have this Lydia in our possession?" Ken asked him almost in a whisper.

"We do." Monte replied.

"Why didn't you just say so? We were being labeled incompetent to our faces and we have whom they seek." Ken demanded in a low tone.

"It's more complicated than you think." Monte replaced rubbing his chin.

"No, it is not; I heard you interrogated her already, even if it wasn't your job to do so. It also wasn't time to interrogate her, but you did anyway. We can release her location to people in search of her, she must matter to somebody." Ken protested.

"You don't know that." Monte insisted.

"I do; Ken replied loudly; "I am your assistant and the only way for us to work through this is to work together." Ken stressed.

"You don't know anything Ken, Monte shouted sweeping down the stack of files on the table with his hand; "You don't know that my wife was attacked by a killer and sits in the Infirmary denying that we have a son together." His voice rang loudly in Ken's ears.

"What are you talking about?" Ken asked, confusion written all over his muscular face. "Lydia Evans is my wife; Monte began slowly in a low voice; "she wouldn't say where my son is, she wouldn't even agree that we had a son together. She was Sharon, my wife; she abandoned me and now she is Lydia, a total stranger. We cannot risk revealing her location, I will lose her again and this will probably be forever." Monte concluded looking downcast.

"I cannot believe this." Ken said, his mouth agape.

"Gina and her friend are keeping something from us; they are the only key to replaceing my son. They will not replace Sharon until we replace Michael. This is the only way." Monte concluded and rested his tired back on the chair. "You need to take it easy on yourself too." Ken added.

"I am of all men the most unfortunate; I have barely a month left to be demoted from my position, I am at the verge of completely losing my wife and son; I have lost the battle and now I'm losing the war." He confessed sadly.

"I know you more than anyone Monte; you can handle anything; you wouldn't be in this position if the commissioners didn't think you could handle the job. You deserved it; you weren't just given the job." Ken said trying to inspire him. Monte buried his head in his palms as he listened to Ken talk; soon he was lost in thoughts already. His head ached as his mind travelled farther in search of answers. He could not wait to go back to further question Sharon. "I'll take my leave now; I'll ask Hazel to get you something to drink." Monte heard Ken's voice filter in through his thoughts. He lifted his head to see the door close behind Ken, he suddenly felt alone and defeated; he rested his head on the office table and wept bitterly.