Her Biggest Deception

TW: murder, rape

As soon as I open the door, my coat drops to the floor. My eyelids are drooping to my feet. After being at the police station for the whole day, I just want to spend some time with my husband, James. He always makes a smile form on my face, maybe because of the way he embraces me. James listens to me, especially when I feel my stomach churn from the cases I deal with. Like these past days, where I have been dealing with a dreadful murder case. Everywhere I go, I am surrounded by it. The news channels are all talking about it, and amidst it all, I am struggling with cracking this case. Even now, my thoughts are drowning in remorse and suspecting. I quickly take off my heels, as I realize the faster I do my deeds, the faster I can receive my tranquility. 

“James?” I call out. I feel as though my legs could break in half. I drag my feet along the brown wood floor. 

“I’m in the room Tab!” He replies, yelling. Thank goodness. Hearing his voice allowed me to release my breath. I truly recognize that this case is taking over my life. I can’t be afraid, not now. My hand magnetizes to the wall as I walk down the hall. My balance is not impeccable at a time like this. I finally see James after walking what feels like 6 miles. 

“Oh James.” I stumble into his arms that catch me. In this moment, I notice his eyes widen at my action. 

“What happened? Are you okay?” He asks me, worriedly. He’s frantic for my response. 

“I-I’m okay. I just feel really tired.” I say with what feels like my last breath. He tells me that I should rest, in which he gets no response. All I see is black, as my back is supported by a surface. My arms fall from James, and I am met with a warm casing. I absorb every feeling at this second. From my breathing pattern, to his fingers grazing my black hair, and his voice whispering, 

“Go to sleep.” The sound of his breath lurking in my ears before my mind blanks out. 

James. My first thought as my eyes open. I sit up from my sleeping position and look around. I feel the positive breeze of life gradually gaining control of my mind. And so with a smile I am able to scurry out to the living room. My feet shuffle across the floor, catching his attention from inside the kitchen. 

“You’re awake?” He asks with his eyebrows raised. 

“Yeah I am, why—” My eyes glance to the oven clock, in which the green numbers shine 3:38. So that’s why he asked, of course.  

“I was expecting you to sleep like a baby all night.” He makes his way over to me, and he gives me a loving peck. 

“We both know that’s impossible for me.” I say, moving past him and onto the chair that was calling my name. I look closer at James, grasping his features. His brown eyes, his brown hair, and his dallas mustache. Altogether he looks so handsome. Not to mention his white button up that sat snug on his upper body. Wait, why was he wearing that at 3 in the morning? 

“Are you feeling better?” He asks before my mouth even opens to ask the question. I tell him of my first thought being him, which automatically made me smile. He shares a warm laugh that makes me forget about all my troubles. 

“Oh yes, are you going somewhere?” I ask, as my legs swing back and forth. 

“I was asked to go to the clinic tonight, but I wanted to cancel to make sure you were okay.” That one sentence makes me feel mixed emotions. I am grateful to be with him because he cares for me, but I also don’t want him to not go to his job because of me. 

“Don’t feel bad. It’s alright.” Of course he could tell what I was thinking. He is a therapist after all. 

“I hope it is.” I tell him as he comes to sit beside me. His arm stretches out around me. I look into his eyes, and he softly kisses my forehead. 

“I would much prefer to be with you.” He always knows the right things to make my heart flutter, and my cheeks blush. All of a sudden he asks about my day and how work was. My mood immediately drops upon just hearing the word “work.” I remind him of the gruesome murder circling around everyone’s mind, causing agitation. He listens attentively as my words spew out of my confusion. I don’t tell him the private details that are only amongst the police, but I merely tell him of what occurred. It frustrates me that there’s a lack of evidence, along with no witnesses. The only person who saw her was after she had been abused and tormented. 

“There’s no evidence besides the body?” He asks. 

“No, none. Though she had been raped. We can collect the semen but, without the suspects we can’t compare.” 

“That’s awful.” He shows the same commiseration as I. 

“But what about the knife? Can’t you get fingerprints from that?” He is right, that’s a possibility. But wait. What knife? We didn’t find a knife at the scene of the crime. I didn’t tell him of a knife being used either. 

“How do you know about the knife?” I ask, my heart pounding. I feel like throwing up. 

“Because you told me.” He says, confused. Did I?

“No I didn’t.” I say sternly. I feel my legs becoming weak as I question what’s happening. I don’t tell people such details, especially when it’s a serious case like this one, so how does he know?

“Tabitha, you did. It seems you’ve probably forgotten, you just woke up.” It can’t be. But I suppose he could be right. Perhaps he even presumed the weapon used and it was right. Just a coincidence. I try to calm myself down. It was just a coincidence. Or he’s probably just right and I forgot. It’s been a long night. 

“Sorry. I probably just forgot.” I say, feeling drowsy. 

“It’s okay, don’t worry.” He rubs my back, trying to comfort me. I can’t believe I just suspected him of being guilty. He is not capable of murder, and rape. What is wrong with me? I look into his eyes again, trying to forget my insinuation and instead be filled with love again. My face reflects into his swirling brown eyes. His face is held in my hand, but I find a scratch. I softly trace the jagged edge. I am brought to the morgue. 

“Traces of skin were found in her nail. As if she clawed someone.” 

A scream leaves my parted lips.