Finding Grace

Chapter 5

Gathering some items in a bag mark convinced me to stay overnight in a hotel until the cops do a sweep on the apartment building. Mark leaving to call his wife to tell him he’s going to the police with me and to drop me off at the hotel down the road. Sitting in marks car he asks me,

“ where should we go first the hotel to get you set up or the police to report a break in?”

“Um I don’t know to be honest this is a shock to me.” Mumbling back.

“Well the sooner we report the break in the soon they can start the investigation” he goes as he pulls out of the parking lot.

“ So who do you think it could be?” He questions me. “Do you have any family or friends that could’ve came yesterday and just helped out?

“ no, no I don’t have anyone, the only one i told about my leak was you.” I go shifting in my seat.

“ hmm well i know I didn’t do it and Carlo my cousin didn’t come either we were all together cleaning the basement last night because of there flooding.”

Looking at Mark i notice how deeply grey his hair is and how much he resembles my late father. Glasses with a bright yellow frame, frames his head and a goatee that is mostly grey with some lingering dark brown strands. You could easily tell he was over the age of 55.

“ how are your kids still in high school? Or did they start college yet?” I ask trying to keep the topic light and my anxiety minimum.

“ Ash is in college and Jr. is graduating high school in the spring” he looks proudly at me.

“ oh that’s exciting, your going to have an empty house soon then.” I state as he pulls up into the police station.

“Ya, i can’t believe how time flys by so fast its crazy.” Emotionally he sniffles and brushes a small tear from his eyes and smiles. “ but I wouldn’t change anything for the world, its time for them to figure out themselves and be the strong independent adults me and Maria taught them to be.” Parking and stepping out of the car he leads the way into the building as i follow behind him terrified on what they will ask about what happened.

Walking up to the counter where Mark was i overhear him tell the young lady.

”Ya i would like to report a break in.”

“Oh okay we can help you out with that just give us one minute to get the proper paperwork and then we’ll call up a detective and assign him to the case if need be alright. Please have a seat and ill join you when I’m ready.” The lady dressed in a red flowery blouse and her hair up in a bun states as she goes and rifles through the desk to find the correct papers. Grabbing a seat at one of the large tables right off to the side of the main desk. Trying to hide my shaky hands mark grabs them. “Don’t worry I’m here and we’ll figure everything out, You’ve been with me since you were 19. And me and Maria have come to feel like you are one of the family.” He happily says smiling. “ Thank you Mark, I’m sorry for yelling at you yesterday was just a weird day.” Rubbing my hands on my legs i ask.

“ Hey so when did that old man move into the apartment complex”

“ So this break in please give me the name, address and if they took anything of value please tell me what/how much did this person take, also if you have any suspects.” Bria asks. Her name tag showing and a skirt that matches her red blouse.

“It was my apartment building but her apartment that was broken into” Mark simply states and i nod in agreement.

Nodding her head in acknowledgment “ Okay not a problem i would just need an address and an apartment number.’

Saying type address Mark also adds it happened yesterday, tho I wouldn’t know the time. Bria writing all this down looks at me.

“So kat, at what time do you think this break in happened”

Coughing to clear my throat i go over what time i was out of my apartment. “uhh well i woke up at 9:30 and went into work at 11am, and stayed until 2:30. So anytime between then.”

“ And was anything taken? Broken? Or left behind by the perpetrator?” She lists off her paper.

“ No, nothing was taken i think but he left did leave behind some clothing behind my bathroom door, they were wet and muddy.”

“ And are those clothings are still in your apartment now or did he come back for them?” She questions

Stammering over my words i add. “ I..I put them in a bag and called Mark assuming it was his”

“ Okay so its just in a bag, did you bring them with you or is it still in your bathroom?” She asks looking to see if i have anything with me.

Cursing I voiced “ No, after I hung up on Mark i threw them outside my main door bc the smell of them was giving me nausea.”

Sighing Bria makes notes of all we’ve said, turning to Mark she questions. “So Mr. Hens” referring Mark by his last name. “Please tell me that your apartment building has security systems”

Breaking his silence Mark utters “No, My residences doesn’t have any video cameras.”

“ Well, we’ll still need to send over some forensics and a detective to the scene to see if he left any prints or any other items behind.” She goes on to list what else they’ll do when they arrive.

“ do i have to be present for that” hesitantly i ask

“ Yes to give them accurate information on what is yours. Now if you’ll excuse me let me go get a detective so he can go over some more information.” Walking away i turn back to Mark.

“ Mark, I’m sorry for all this. I know you’d rather be at home.” Lowering my head i muttered.

“Don’t be, I want you safe and plus the cops would’ve come to me anyways since i also have a key to get into all the apartments. Also i need to see if any of the other tenants have noticed/ had a break in.” He responded quickly.

Looking up and coming forward in a black suit that makes him look intimidating but also easy to talk to. His brown suede shoes walking with ease and confidence. Gel slick hair and some shades to match resting on his head. He comes forward,

“ hello folks, My names Detective Cruz i hear a break in happened last night at your job and you need me to help solve it.” He spoke with such conviction that put me in a daze.

“ Yes, I’m the building manager/Owner. It happened in Kats apartment, she lives alone and called me last night to fix a leaky ceiling. But when i came today to fix it, someone had come in without her knowing fixed it and left his wet dirty clothes into her bathroom.” Mark recaps.

“ So lets get this straight,” Detective Cruz starts

“ You woke up to a leaky roof, called him (Points at Mark) to tell him to come fix it, head into work. Where you spend (Looks at his notes) 3 and a half hours to come back and see wet dirty clothes and your leaky roof fixed.” He proceeds to say.

“Yes, but more happened then what’s been told.”

“We’ll do tell” the detective replied. Mark looking at me to continue.