Protecting Kendra

Chapter 6 - Kendra

We just made it to Emily’s place of employment, Refurbished. It’s a cute family-owned home improvement store. I’ve never been inside before, you can’t really buy anything here when you live in an apartment, but I’ve always thought this place had a real appeal to it. The building is so inviting. It looks like you could walk in and dinner would be waiting for you. Then I remember what took place here and the warm feeling vanished. Paxton spoke breaking through my thoughts. “So what’s the plan?” I turned my head and saw his eyes locked on me. There was concern in his eyes. “I only see two cars here, and they’re likely employees parked that far out, so it may be good to go inside to talk first.”

Paxton nodded his head and opened his door to get out. I took one more glance out the window before I followed his lead. He’s already around the truck and at my side when my feet hit the ground. I like to be dramatic and jump out, so he can see how ridiculous his choice was. It is kind of fun if I’m honest. I take in our surroundings as we make our way to the doors. There’s a beautifully stained deck with lattice boards on each side of the steps. The boards have vines crawling up them that remind me of a winery. A glass of wine sounds perfect right about now.

Paxton held the door open for me, so I could walk in. It’s the perfect blend of support and encouragement I needed. The chime from the door movement made an employee appear almost instantly. “Hi! Welcome in! What can I help you with today?” Her smile is so genuine. I wonder if she’s naturally this happy or just good at faking it for her job’s sake. “We were just wondering if you had some time to answer a few questions?” Her reply was instant. “Of course! Are you remodeling your home?” I realize then I should have added “about Emily” to the end of my question.

I blush thinking of Paxton and I owning a home together. “Oh, no. I’m currently writing an article about Emily. I was hoping to bring some more awareness to her case.” My fingers started twisting the loose thread on my sleeve, hoping she still had the same enthusiasm for helping. The girl’s smile faded at the mention of Emily’s name. For a moment, I believed she was actually going to tell us no. Maybe I should have called here first as well. Rejection would have been easier when they couldn’t see my face falter. Her voice is soft as she speaks. “I would be glad to answer whatever questions you have. I’m afraid I don’t know too much about her though. I’ve only been here a few months. My boss is in her office on a phone call right now, but I know she would be willing to help as well.” I let out a mental sign of relief. "That would be wonderful! Is it okay if we sit while we talk?" I pointed to the small table and chairs in the corner of the room. "Yes, that would be perfectly okay. There's a pot of coffee in the breakroom that should be finished by now. I'm just going to grab my cup real fast. Would either of you like one?" Paxton and I both answered yes at the same time.

We go ahead and claim our seats while she grabs our coffee. The couch is on the smaller side, so our legs touch. I try to wiggle some more room for him, but I don't think it's working. I gave up and reached for my notepad and pen to start writing down details of this interview. The girl returns with a tray carrying three cups of coffee and a bowl of creamers and sugar packets. When she sets them down in front of us, I glance at her name tag that says Lilly. I quickly created a section on my notepad for her. "I didn't know how you took your coffee, so I brought a little of everything." I usually just have my coffee black, but I feel obligated to use some. I reached out to grab a half-and-half. "Thank you. That was very kind of you." Paxton added in his grattitude. To avoid an awkward silence, I jumped into the conversation we came here for.

"I know you haven't known Emily long, but can you tell us what she was like?" I figured this was a good place to start. "She had a very kind soul. I never heard her say anything bad about anyone, even the customers that got heated towards her. She always said that they may have been going through something, and that she didn't want to make it worse if they were. I'm sure she could have her moments, but I never saw them." I heard her sniff at the end of her comment. If Emily could make an impact on someone in a short amount of time, I'm sure the public will feel connected to her as well. "Did she seem any different in the days leading up to her taking?" I know these are cliché questions, but they can still be important. "No, not that I can remember. The few days that I saw her that week she seemed normal." I was in the middle of writing her response down when a woman walked over to us. I presume this is the owner. Thankfully, Lilly offered an introduction. "Kasey, these two are here to ask questions about Emily for an article." She turned back to us and continued. "I'm sorry, I don't remember if you said your names." I can't believe I forgot to mention them when we arrived. Paxton and I stood to greet her. He was closer, so he took the lead. "Hello, my name is Paxton and this is Kendra." I added on to his words when it was my turn to shake her hand. "Hi Kasey. I hope it's okay that we stopped by." Kasey smiled and took the seat next to Lilly. "I don't mind at all. I’m happy to do anything that could help Emily."

I created another section on my paper for Kasey. "Lilly mentioned how Emily was always kind, even towards customers who were not. Did she ever make a complaint to you about one?" She thought this over for a second. "She relayed a few times of a customer who was angry, but it was more of informing me of what happened. She never seemed afraid of them. The ones that I did witness, I never saw come in again." I began writing this down when Paxton began speaking. "Is it common to receive that response here, or was Emily receiving the majority of it?" Paxton's are focused on Kasey's when I look up. I can tell that his wheels were spinning. "Um, mainly Emily I suppose." He nodded. "Did she seem particularly phased by any of it?" She looked as if she was thinking it over, but she shook her head at the same time. "She didn't let it show if she did. She was always so poised. I envied being able to shake things off so easily." That is a skill I long to have as well. "Do you keep a log of when this happens?" Kasey answers this one confidentally. "I don't, but there are a couple instances that I witnessed that have etched into my brain." I write all the dates and approximate times that she states. Paxton asked if she would be willing to send over the security tapes from those days for us to examine. Kasey agreed so I passed her a paper with my email on it that she could send them to. We stand up to say our goodbyes and that we will be in touch if we had any more questions they may be able to help us with.

Paxton holds the door open for me as we leave. We lingered on the front porch for a few moments. Paxton was looking around, so I let him do his thing without interruption. When he walked down the steps leading around the corner, I followed. It was eerie to round the corner where Emily was last known to be alive. Around the corner was not any better. It contained a small parking lot separated by an alley. The video showed him walking up the front steps of the deck. Why didn’t he enter from the side? This question was l swing at me so I began to write it down on my notepad still in hand. I didn’t realize Paxton had stopped walking and I walked right into his back. I bounced off him but managed to not to fall on my ass. Paxton whipped around and grabbed my shoulders to help steady me.

He was laughing, but his words sounded serious. “You really need to pay more attention to your surroundings.” This is something he constantly gets onto me for, but I can’t help it. I don’t like looking around and making eye contact with people. It makes them feel obligated to say hello, and I really dont want to get stuck in a conversation with anyone. “Sorry, I was just writing down a thought before I forgot it. Besides, I have my guard with me.” I nudged his arm. He rolled his eyes as he turned away, but his smiled betrayed his attempt in being stern with that act.

I slid my notepad in my bag and grabbed my phone in my back pocket. The police most likely already have pictures, but it will be faster to capture some while I’m here instead of requesting them. Paxton instinctively followed me as I did this. For the rest of our time here, we are silent in our observance. We don’t speak again until we are back in his truck. I can tell this place has left us feeling heavy. If I looked in a mirror, I’m sure my face would have the same sorrow I see in Paxton’s. We are already depeely affected, and it’s only just begun.