Page 92 of Range
Middle school Josiah.
High School Josiah.
College graduate Josiah.
Graduate Josiah.
Doctor Josiah.
Blackwood Pharmaceuticals Josiah.
I rested my palms on my lips, taking in the evolution of the man I was falling headfirst for. His accolades continued through the home, most decorating the study where Janeese took a seat at the round table.
Criminal Josiah.
It was the only image of him that had replayed in my mind for the past month. Seeing him at his finest was awestriking.
No chains.
No shackles.
No doors.
No buzzing.
“He’s something, isn’t he?”
I nodded.
“He’s unbelievable.”
“Which complicates this even more. I don’t understand.”
“Is there something I can clarify?”
She shook her head. “We’re not here for me. We’re here for him. And, that’s all that matters.”
“Okay– but if you change your mind, I will give you the answers I have as long as it doesn’t interfere with the work I’m doing for your brother.”
She nodded.
“Now… When was the last time you saw your husband?”
“The morning of his disappearance. He kissed Aubrey and I goodbye and headed to work as he usually does.”
My stomach knotted at the sound of his lips touching the child he’d exploited so carelessly.
“Did he leave home in a timely manner?”
“No. He was running behind. It’s the same for him. Almost every morning. He likes to spend a little extra time with Aubrey before leaving. It’s hard for him to get out of the door each morning. They snuggle before work.”
Oh, Janeese.
Her cluelessness was disheartening. She loved her husband. The welling of tears in her eyes told me so. The pain written all over her face told me so. Her posture told me so.
I despised the very ground he walked on. However, it wasn’t my duty to express my feelings. They didn’t matter. Josiah had yet to report his findings. I wouldn’t be the one to break the news. More importantly than any of our feelings was Aubrey’s safety and her uncle had made sure she would be safer in her own home.
“So, tardiness is not unusual for him?”
