Missing Daughter, Shattered Family by Liz Strange

Author:Liz Strange
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Tags: MLR Press LLC, Print ISBN#978-1-60820-412-0, Ebook ISBN# 978-1-60820-413-7
Published: 2012-08-11T02:25:30.743001+00:00

ChAPteR 10

David’s eyes refused to open for several minutes after waking

the following morning. When they finally did, he rolled over

to look at the time. It was early yet, the room draped in fading

darkness. Jamie was still fast asleep. He slipped out of bed as

quietly as he could, pulling on some pyjama bottoms and an

old sweatshirt. He went straight for the coffeemaker when he

reached the first floor.

As it began to perk, the teasing aroma filling the kitchen,

David sat at the table. He had pulled a pad and pen from one

of the drawers and set about writing down all the details of the

night that he could remember. Then with a cup of coffee in

hand, he retrieved his notes from the meeting with Janice and

Sinclair. With everything fresh in his mind, he knew he had to

touch base with Marjory Barrowman to try and sort out fact from

embellishment. Too many conflicting stories had been told at this

point, muddying the waters and possibly prolonging access to the

truth about Stella’s disappearance.

It was only eight-thirty, not exactly a polite time to be calling

anyone on a Sunday morning, but David needed answers. He

dialled the Barrowman’s home number, hoping for the best.

After several rings the phone was answered. “Hello?” The

female who answered didn’t sound as though her sleep had been

disturbed.

“Hello. May I speak with Marjory?”

“This is.”

“Hello. This is David Lloyd calling. Please excuse the early

hour, but it’s the first spare moment I’ve had in weeks.”

“It’s no bother, David. To be honest I haven’t been sleeping

all that well, and I’ve been up for a few hours already.”

“Is it possible for us to get together some time today?”

“Of course. Your office?”

156 Liz Strange

“That sounds good. Let’s say one o’clock?”

“I assume you haven’t found her yet?”

“Not yet, but I’m definitely ruffling some feathers. I think

something will come to light soon.”

“Well, that’s good news. See you soon.”

“Bye.”

He’d picked up a few presents for his family during an

afternoon of errands, so he set about getting them wrapped and

under the tree. Christmas was fast approaching. It would be nice

to have Stella’s case resolved before then, for the ease of mind of

all the affected parties. If she were alive still, David imagined that

Christmas with her loved ones would be a welcome experience.

He wondered, while tidying up the mess of paper, if Jamie would

like to invite his family over for the get together he’d planned.

Maybe it was still too soon.

A quick scan of the fridge let David know he didn’t have

much in the way of groceries. He ran out to one of the twenty-

four hour stores and stocked up. He’d surprise Jamie with a

big breakfast, something he couldn’t remember doing in recent

months. The shower was running when he returned.

David quickly emptied the bags, then set about making a

veggie omelette with cheese, Jamie’s favourite. He also cooked

up a mess of bacon, whole-wheat toast, and brewed some fresh

coffee. A bowl of washed, cut strawberries was on the table when

Jamie entered the kitchen. David turned from the stove, smiling

when he found Jamie dressed in a pair of his sweatpants and a

t-shirt from a concert he’d attended as a teenager.

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