A Beautiful New Life

by Irene, Susan

  “Yes, I’m Arlin Gilab.”

  “I’m Detective Sheldon.” He shook Arlin’s hand. “Come in here and let’s get started on why you think your wife is missing.” He held open the door for Arlin. “Over this way please.” He followed him in and guided him past detectives at their desk, busy with paperwork and even past some empty desk. Arlin guessed they were likely out investigating leads they got in their own missing person’s case perhaps. They reached Detective Sheldon’s old oak desk that had seen its share of detectives over the years. The scratches and worn spots were visible on the overly neat, almost OCD, desk.

  “Now you say she left to go on a weekend retreat. Was this something she often did?” Detective Sheldon took a seat and motioned to Arlin to sit in one of the worn cushioned chairs in front of the desk.

  “Huh? No. No. She rarely did things by herself.” He tried hard to relax but something nagged at him. He took a deep breath.

  “Do you know where she went? You only put on here a spa retreat.” He tapped the form to show Arlin his answer.

  “I don’t remember the name. This was something she planned.” He leaned forward in the chair. “Well…I mean…I got it for her but.” He shook his head. “I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t pay much attention. She would get on the computer and talk about trips like this but never take one. I found this one on her computer and her birthday was coming up. So I bought it for her…for us to go together. But work commitments came up and I couldn’t go. I was surprised when I got up Saturday morning and she had packed and was leaving.” Detective Sheldon wrote some notes in his yellow notebook as Arlin talked.

  “Why were you surprised?”

  “She never went anywhere on her own.”

  “When did she say she was returning?”

  “Sunday evening.”

  “You sound sure about that, so it is Tuesday and you are only now reporting her missing.” He leaned back in his chair and brushed his thick mustache with his fingers.

  “I thought maybe I was wrong; that she had said Monday. But I know it was Sunday. I remember thinking that she would be back to get the kids off to school and such. But I didn’t want to worry the kids and thought it better to give her one more day in case I was mistaken.”

  “Do you know Mitch Bullen?”

  “Who?” The name sounded familiar but he could not place the name with a face.

  “He works with your wife.”

  “Oh yah, okay. Sorry I never knew his last name. What about him?”

  “Well he called yesterday reporting her missing. Why do you think he would do that?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe he thought she should have been home Sunday as well. The difference is he doesn’t have kids that were upset because she wasn’t. I didn’t want to overreact. I thought I would give her an extra day.”

  “Well he seemed to think you had something to do with her disappearance. Why would he think that?”

  “You can’t be serious! I came in to report my wife missing and already I’m a suspect.” He worked hard to contain his anger, his hands clenching into a fist.

  “Should you be a suspect?”

  “No! My wife went away on a weekend trip and never came back and I’ve been here with the kids the whole weekend. So I ask you, how I could have done anything to her?”

  “I’m not saying you did. I’m just trying to get answers to questions that were implied.”

  “Please!” He pulled out his wallet. “Help me find their mother.” He handed him a picture of the boys with Louise.

  “We will do everything we can.” Detective Sheldon said. He got up from behind the desk and led Arlin out of his office. He shut the door behind him, walked back to his desk, and picked up the phone.

  “Good morning Margret, can you run a local check on Arlin and Louise Gilab? I’ll send you their information.” He spoke into the receiver. “And I’ll need a rush on it.” He hung up the phone and leaned back into his chair. Of his twenty years, he had seen many cases like this one come and go. The majority of them resulted in the husband being accused and subsequently convicted of murdering the mother of their children that they had begged him to find. This one he was sure would be no different.

  Arlin left the police department feeling outraged that someone had already suspected him of hurting Louise. He only hoped that they would find her and put any doubt that Mitch had planted to rest. He headed back to work but his mind was distracted and he ended up home instead. He pulled into the garage and looked at the empty spot where Louise’s car should have been parked. It being the middle of the day he could easily explain it away that she was at work. This thought settled his nerves and he decided not to go back to work but to get the house straightened up instead. He got out of his truck and headed to the door. They had left the house a mess from the weekend in anticipation of Louise coming home and cleaning it all up. He used to try to help with the housework but it was never good enough for her; or at least that was his excuse. Maybe he just stopped caring to try to help her. Now with her gone, a messing house would just show how distraught he was about her missing. He stopped as his hand reached the doorknob and turned back around, got in his truck, and drove away.

  He arrived at work and went straight to his office. The mahogany desk was a welcome site. He sat down and dove right in working on the papers Shelley left for him. As he finished the first batch, she poked her head in the room.

  “So how did it go this morning?”

  Arlin shook his head and suddenly it just became too much, he lowered his head into his hands and sobbed. Shelley went to him and pulled him into her arms.

  “Hey now, it will be okay. They will find her.” She rubbed his back as he rested his head on her shoulder.

  “They think I had something to do with it.”

  “What?” Shelley pulled back. “What do you mean? How…why…I…she just went missing. What did they say?”

  “Well it wasn’t so much the police but this Mitch guy that worked with Louise.” He pulled his head up from her shoulder and looked down at her. His eyes were red more from lack of restful sleep than from crying.

  “Do you know who this guy is? Why would he suspect you of something like that? You are a good man and have always taken care of Louise and those boys.” She was angered at the accusation of her boss. She had worked for him the past five years and he had never raised his voice to her or showed any form of public outburst for that matter.

  “I don’t know. Do you think I should go talk to him?” He pulled away from her now. “I just don’t know what to do. I just want her to come home.” He walked to the window and looked out at the mountains in the distance. “Where are you?”

  Mitch could not wait any longer. He hopped into his car and drove to the police station. He had to know if Arlin reported Louise missing and if so, what he said. He had a terrible feeling about this and he could not let it rest. He would make sure Arlin was held accountable if something bad had happened to Louise.

  He arrived at the police station, checked in at the front and waited for Detective Sheldon to come out. As he waited he picked up a magazine that featured a local doctor who did plastic surgery work on children in third world countries. The transformations of the disfigured children were just short of a miracle. The state senator’s wife, who is well known for her charity work, praised him for his tireless efforts in bring comfort and joy in the young children’s lives. “It is selfless doctors like Dr. Ellson that we all should want to emulate. How much better would the world be today if we all just did a little of what he has accomplished. He is truly a world hero.” As he finished reading the article, Detective Sheldon emerged from behind the locked metal door.

  “Mr. Bullen what can I do for you today?” Detective Sheldon walked over and sat next to him.

  “Did Arlin come in and file a report yet? I know he did something to her.” He sat in the chair, his leg shaking. He reached down to calm it. “Sorry, it’s a nervous tick.”

  “What
do you have to be nervous about Mr. Bullen?”

  “I’m more worried than nervous. I fear something happened to that young lady and…well I just fear something happened.” He took a deep breath. “Please, just tell me if he at least filed a report.”

  “Yes, he was in this morning and filed a report.” Detective Sheldon explained why he took an extra day before filing and told them they were checking out the spa she was to have attended over the weekend. “As soon as we know anything I will update you.” Detective Sheldon got up to leave.

  “So that’s it? Are you going to release her picture to the public to ask for information? We may have a murderer living among us. What are you doing about that?” Mitch’s anger was bred by many a man who killed their wives.

  “Mitch, we will do what it takes to bring Louise home but first we need to investigate her whereabouts on the weekend in question. If we don’t get a warm fuzzy, we will ask for the public’s help. But Mitch let us do our job. Go home, pray this has been a huge misunderstanding and that we will have Louise home soon where she belongs.” He patted Mitch on the back and turned leaving him to sulk. He was not satisfied but he would wait until they had word from the spa.

  The rest of the day dragged by and when his reminder popped up on his computer, Arlin shut it off and headed out to pick up the kids. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep this up and decide, finally to accept his mother’s help.

  He arrived at Penny’s and picked up the boys. The boys chatted about their day as they drove home and when the house came into sight, they spotted a car in the driveway.

  “Is that mommy? Is mommy home?” They all shouted, but as they got closer, they could see that it was not her car.

  “No boys, sorry, it’s grandma.” Arlin was grateful for his mother’s arrival at the house. He needed help with the boys and now realized how much Louise had done to keep things going and running smoothly.

  “Oh!” Charlie said. It’s not that they did not like their grandma but they too was feeling the reality that mommy may not come home.

  “Now come on, she just wants to help until mommy gets home.” They all got out of the truck and walked into the house. She must have been there a while Arlin thought as he walked into the aroma of fresh baked bread and steaming spaghetti waiting to be served.

  “Hi dear.” She said as she walked up to him and took him in her arms. “Things will be okay.” She gave him a warm hug and then turned to the boys. “My look at how much you have grown. Come here, give grandma hugs.” The boys ran to her and gave her hugs. She did not visit often as her and her new husband were always taking some trip to tropical islands or taking long pleasure cruises in the Caribbean. She was living the life Arlin hoped to have one day. His day would come she would tell him and he always replied, not soon enough.

  They all sat down and ate the wonderful dinner Grandma had made for them. She even made an apple pie for dessert and the boys devoured every bite. After dinner, she herded them off to get their baths and once tucked in bed she went into the kitchen to help clean up the supper dishes.

  “Here, Arlin, let me do that.” She took the dish out of his hand that he had been holding. He did not know how long he had been standing there with it in his hands. The events of the day were catching up to him.

  He turned to his mother. “Thanks Mom for being here for me, for us.” He hugged her tight against him.

  “No thanks needed dear. Before you know it, she will be home and this will all be behind you. I’m here for you as long as you need me to be.”

  He let go of her, wished her goodnight and headed off to bed. He was exhausted and for the first time since Louise had not come home he fell asleep without the help of Jack or Valium, but his dreams would not let him rest peacefully. He would wake throughout the night not sure what woke him. He had thoughts of Louise lost, alone, and afraid. He would see her running, crying out for help. Her beaten and battered body bruised and cut almost beyond recognition. Her chest falling as she exhaled; she was gone. Her body snatched away by an unseen force. Arlin wakes with the feeling of not knowing; is she dead or alive?

  Chapter Five

  Louise woke up from her interrupted sleep. When the alarms stopped fazing her, they played blood curdling screams and flashing the lights. She finally closed her eyes and held her ears as tight as she could. Now awake and the quiet taking charge, she realized what they are trying to do to her.

  “It won’t work. I won’t let it. I won’t let you win.” She yelled out to no one. She got up from where she lay and started to run around the small room. “I have to stay physical. Stay in shape. They will not beat me.” She ran until she tired, but pushed herself some more by doing crunches and pushups. The work out made her feel good but the lack of food soon took its toll. When she could not pick herself up from the last pushup, she lay on the floor face down letting the cool concrete penetrate her hot sweaty body. She did not even move when the door opened.

  When she realized that no one had walked in, she looked up and saw the light from the hallway shining in but no one was around. She lay there a moment longer. Was this a trick? Trick or no trick, she could not pass up a chance to get out of the room. She pushed herself up and made a run for the door. As she got closer the door started to close, she pushed herself harder and as the door was about to close she reached out with her right hand.

  The pain was excruciating. Her fingers hung awkwardly on her hand. She fell to her knees and screamed out in pain. The door had slammed shut just as she slipped her hand between it and the door jam. She had screamed out and the door popped open just enough for her to pull her hand out and then it slammed shut again. She rocked back and forth on her knees, the tears darkening the gray t-shirt she wore.

  “HELLO! SOMEBODY! I hurt myself. Someone please help me!” She yelled out. The door opened and she remained seated. Was it a trap again, she thought. A man entered with the same slow movements as before and Louise got up and ran to him.

  “Please help me. Get me out of here.” He stood staring at her, saying nothing. “Are you from the resort? What is your name?”

  “W-Why so many questions? J-Just do what they w-want and things will be f-fine.”

  “But I don’t know what they want. Please! Help me. At least tell me your name.”

  “H-Henry, my n-name is Henry. N-Now I’m g-going to get you s-some help for your h-hand.” He pulled her hand up to take a closer look. “You s-sure did do a n-number on that.”

  “Just get me out of here. I can get this fixed later. It doesn’t even hurt much now.” She just wanted to get out of the room and go home.

  “I c-can’t, they are c-close behind.”

  “You keep saying that but I never see anyone else.” The door flew open.

  “Now Megan you know that isn’t true.” Louise took a step back and stood behind Henry.

  “Oh, now don’t be like that. Don’t you want to know my name too? It’s Vince.” He extended out his hand. “Ouch! What did you do?” He looked down at her hand.

  “V-Vince don’t start, I n-need to get her some help for her h-hand. Let us pass.” Henry’s voice shook as he spoke.

  “L-let us p-pass.” He mocked him. “What are you going to do if I don’t?” Vince stuck out his chest but Henry stood there staring back. “You’re such a wimp.” Vince turned and walked out.

  “He is always f-following me around. I think he s-suspects I’m trying to h-help you.”

  Louise moved to face him. “Are you from the resort? Why am I here?”

  “Come on you p-probably want t-to clean up.” He walked out the door and when she did not follow, he turned back to her and waved her to follow.

  “You didn’t answer my questions.”

  “I, I don’t have t-time to explain, n-now come on.”

  She walked out into a poorly lit hallway. The hanging lights swayed from an invisible breeze. The swaying and flickering made Louise nauseous and she stopped for a moment to swallow the vomit that threatened
.

  “G-get m-moving!” He said to her impatiently. She proceeded to follow him down the hallway and up a flight of stairs where they continued in their original direction down another hallway to the shower room. He stepped aside to allow her to go in first and then stepped in behind her. He stood at the doorway that opened up to a room with four showers. There were no stalls, just one big room. Henry did not bother to turn around and give her any privacy. She pulled off her clothes and turned on the shower. As soon as the water hit her, the tears flowed; she grabbed the soap and started scrubbing until the water turned cold and Henry walked over and turned the water off.

  "L-let's go." He ordered and walked back to his post by the door. Shivering Louise turned around and walked over to the edge of the shower room where she found a stack of towels. She dried herself off quickly and wrapped the towel around her.

  "F-fresh clothes are over there." He pointed to the locker a few feet from the towels. She opened the locker door and found a set that would fit her and pulled them on. She walked over to Henry and waited for further instructions. He did not say anything; he just walked out of the shower room into the hall again. She followed behind him and looked around trying to see an exit if she was given a chance to run. They continued down the hallway a few feet and from the sanitary smell and stainless steel counter, she knew they had walked into a medical clinic. She looked up now and saw a nurse waving for them to come forward. She was plump, with a bright smile and eyes that twinkled. Was she someone who was going to help her escape?

  "Who do we have here Henry?" Her voice matched the motherly look. It was soft and gentle.

  "This is M-Megan Strauss, B-Betty. We n-need to have her h-hand looked at." He stepped aside for the nurse to examine the arm. Louise stood there; she thought Henry was helping her and but he called her by the name that Vince had called her earlier. She was not this Megan Strauss. They had the wrong person.

  "Excuse me." She said, but no one acknowledged that she had spoken. She said it louder this time. "Excuse me!" When they did not acknowledge again she continued. "My name..."