LIVING ON THE EDGE

CHAPTER: 23

"When was the last time you received communication from Adriana?" Detective Sharon asked Melanie.

"The text message at twenty past four After that, nothing," Melanie replied.

The murder file had not explained the gap between the time they were supposed to be meeting and the inquiry from Melanie. Adriana had sent Melanie a text message just before 4:30. That was the last time anyone had heard from her. Chase and Melanie both had called and sent text messages to her phone the whole evening. When Adriana was not home by the time Annie Dos Santos, the housekeeper's shift was over at 6:00 p.m., Chase begged her to stay back with the children until Adriana got home. At 6:00 a.m. the next morning, after Chase's shift was over, he headed straight for the police department to file a missing person report.

"So how did you get into yoga?" Sharon asked Melanie.

"Remember the other type of lifestyle that I mentioned I was into? Well, yoga helped me to relax, and keep me calm when I was changing my life," Melanie replied.

"I understand. I had got into it myself after my husband died. It was beneficial," Sharon said.

"Yoga is great for many things. I began about fifteen years ago. I got tired of cardio workouts and wanted something that I would get more out of." Melanie then paused and said, "I am sorry about your husband. Chase told me that was the reason why he chose you."

Sharon was surprised by the comment but managed to maintain an expressionless face. Chase Reed had researched her, that she was aware of. It was strange that he had done research on her dead husband as well, but it was even stranger that he had told Melanie about her. The fact that she was bringing it up felt odd as well. It was as if she was trying to throw Sharon off the scent. But what scent did she think Sharon had picked up? She pondered on the point while Melanie chatted away.

"He said you had all the right credentials; you also know what it is like to lose a spouse. You are a woman, so you would respect his need to know what happened, even though the leads are non-existent. Also, you are from Nashville, with a previous posting in Maury County. And above all, you are your own person. You don't fit into the stereotypes put forth. And thus you are the best in your field," Melanie said.

Melanie had taken Sharon's decision to change the subject and had turned it against her. Her eyes were tiny, haunting slits of darkness. Sharon was not entirely comfortable with her, but Melanie had something to tell her and she needed to find out what it was.

"What about you, Melanie? You are not a stereotype either. Tell me a little bit about yourself. I want to get a feel for the person that Adriana Reed called her best friend," Sharon said.

"I was born in Maury County, when I was eighteen, I moved to the University of Texas, and then later to Huntsville. And I have done a master's in counseling. I teach Yoga and do therapy on weekends. I do not drink, smoke, or eat red meat. I pray to Jesus, Buddha, and Allah, and anyone else up there who is willing to listen. I do not own or watch television..." 

"That's it, eh? Where did you live in Maury County?" Sharon asked.

"Westside," Melanie replied.

"Oh yeah? What neighborhood?"

There was a long pause before Melanie said, "I do not see how that matters."

Sharon thought Melanie was aloof and irritated by the question. "Just curious. I had been posted in Maury County," Sharon said.

"I grew up on the west side of the city," Melanie replied.

Extremely dubious. It was clear that this was not something Melanie wanted to discuss.

"Well, what can you tell me about Adriana? What was she like?" Sharon asked her.

"Kind, caring, and giving. All the things women want to be, but rarely are. She had found a way to be those things."

"Interesting. And how did she manage to do that?" Sharon asked her.

Melanie smiled and shook her head. "Detective, if that answer was easy to come by, I would have been a millionaire."

Sharon thought that her interview was starting to go places she did not want it to go. Melanie Jackson was a puzzle, one of those people who had a riddle or philosophical theory for every question.

"Where did you meet Adriana?" Sharon asked.

"We met through a chance encounter in the city, close to my high school," Melanie replied.

"Where did you go to high school?"

"Why?" Melanie asked Sharon.

"Just curious... I know that place very well."

Melanie hesitated. Sharon saw a tuck in her jaw. The past was not something she was comfortable with.

" Columbia Central," she said after some hesitation.

 Columbia Central High School was closed now, due to Christmas break, but it had been located a few miles away from where Adriana's body was found. Melanie knew she would pick up on that and start to wonder if she was familiar with the area. Even so, the hesitation had been obvious.

"Where did you live?" Sharon asked.

"Around Cedar Street," Melanie replied.

Another vague response, but not so vague that it would be strange. But because Adriana Reed's body was found a few blocks from Cedar Street, it was strange.

"I know that area well," Sharon said. "I had some friends who lived there when I was a kid. It was also the beat I worked as a cop. Where exactly on Cedar Street?"

Melanie took a glance at her watch before answering, "6th Avenue."

Sharon had not been to Maury County for quite some time, but she remembered the area well. She had been placed there when she was fresh out of the police academy, and quickly learned that it was a great place to disappear or die. Children were expected to fall prey to drugs, pregnancy, or death, so no one was watching for unruly youth. s*x and drugs flowed freely through those blood-drenched streets, and women like Melanie rarely emerged from that part of the town. Graduating high school was virtually unheard of, and finishing college was a miracle. Seemed like an odd place for someone like Melanie to grow up.