Don't Mess with Daddy's Girl by Sandy Appleyard

Author:Sandy Appleyard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: suspense, procedural crime, suspense action thriller, procedural police, suspense adult fiction crime, suspense adult fiction, procedural series, procedural mystery, suspense and mystery, suspense and murder
Publisher: Sandy Appleyard

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Michael sat by himself at the table numbly sipping a beer. He watched the bride and groom dance together and wondered why he ached so much to see himself up there, holding Jessica closely while she held her white satin train. What was it about marriage that attracted him? Was it security? The sense of family? Maybe he just wanted to settle down. He wished Jessica shared his feelings, but he loved her more than anything and was willing to sacrifice his own dreams of marriage and family for her happiness. All he wanted was to be with her. Nothing else mattered to him. He stared at the back of the room where he’d watched her exit earlier, hanging on to the glimmer of hope that she’d return.

Some family members stopped by to say hello, only a few asked where Jessica was. He assumed they thought she was on the dance floor; there were plenty of people there, nobody would notice her except Michael. He waited until nine p.m. and decided to call and make sure she arrived safely. Discovering he had no reception in the building, rather than use the payphone and have eavesdroppers, he decided to go out the back.

When he dialled the phone, there was a shiver up his spine. But he wasn’t cold. He’d put his jacket on before exiting. Mark answered the phone after three rings.

“Hello,” Mark said. Michael could hear the dishwasher groaning in the background.

“Hi Mark, er, I was just wondering if Jessica got there okay.”

There was a pause.

“Jessica? What do you mean? Aren’t you guys at the wedding?” Mark asked, puzzled.

“Yeah. Um, we had a little misunderstanding. She decided she wanted to come stay with you guys for a bit. Until we get this Saigon mess straightened up.” Michael wanted to beat his head on the side of the dumpster he leaned on.

“Hang on a sec,” Mark said, covering the phone.

Michael could hear Mark shouting over the dishwasher to Shelley.

Mark came back on. “We haven’t heard from her. How long ago was this?”

Michael’s heart began to beat faster. “It was a couple hours ago. Jesus. Where the hell is she?” He began to pace.

“Don’t panic. Is there a chance she called a friend? What about Leslie from work? She might have even called Jennifer,” Mark said.

“I don’t think she’d call Leslie, she only ever hangs with her during work. I don’t even think she has her home phone number. Maybe she called Jennifer.” Michael’s heart slowed slightly.

“I’ll have Shelley contact Jennifer and get right back to you. Sit tight,” Mark said.

Light snow was beginning to come down in swirls with the wind, lighting the darkness slightly. There was a floodlight above the back employee entrance. As Michael paced, he could see a single pair of footprints along the narrow walkway. He stopped in his tracks when his phone began to ring.

“She didn’t call Jennifer. Jenn’s at a movie with a friend,” Mark said, his tone eerie.

As Michael listened, he followed the footprints until he saw another set come from behind.

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