The Mystery Writer

Something is Missing

When Darcy opened her eyes the next morning, she became immersed in watching the thin, sleet-like flakes falling outside her window. It was snowing and she smiled at the sight. She became so entranced that she didn't hear someone calling her or knocking at her door until the voice became steadily louder and more urgent. She attempted to pull herself out of bed, but was surprised when she was suddenly pulled down and held tightly.

If she could have seen herself, she would have been sure that her eyes bugged out. When she looked to see what was preventing her from getting up, she found that Leo was still asleep beside her and had a firm grip around her waist. She couldn't prevent a loud gasp full of panic which didn't seem to stir Leo James from his slumber.

“What is it, Darcy? I'm coming in!”

“No! No, don't come in!” Darcy screamed back at Max who remained outside her door. She watched as Leo's face scrunched in discomfort before settling into a more peaceful one. 'How sound he sleeps.' Darcy couldn't help but ponder that thought.

“Darcy! Please, hurry. You really need to come out here. Leo James is missing. The whole area will be in an uproar soon.” Max really wasn't going to leave her alone, and his words made her believe that he did something he shouldn't have.

Darcy scrambled to her feet, tugging herself out of Leo's embrace which stirred him into alertness. When his eyes found her and registered what had happened last night, Leo's eyes expanded. Then, he pointed a finger towards her as his mouth dropped open. Darcy clapped a hand over his lips, begging him to remain silent.

“Darcy!”

“I'm coming!”

Leo James stared at her, looking at her as if she had come like nightmare into his once peaceful dreams. She quickly backed away from him, snapping her hand away from his face as if it burned her. She glanced down, thoughts moving wildly through her head before she lifted a finger to her lips and begged him to remain silent. He didn't respond to her by the time she backed away to open her door.

Max stood in front of her with his hair sticking up in all angles. “Leo ha- are you wearing the same clothes from yesterday? Your hair is a mess; you haven't showered yet? It's almost 9.” Darcy closed her eyes, unable to handle the amount of questions her friend was throwing at her. “Well you won't have time to shower now. Police will be here shortly.”

“You called the police?” Darcy asked through gritted teeth.

“I had to Darcy! Leo is missing and Malakai was going to if I didn't.”

“I'm not missing, Max.”

Darcy closed her eyes after hearing Leo's declaration. When she looked back up at her friend, Max was staring at her as if she had gone crazy. Before she allowed him to say anything, she pulled Max into her room and closed the door behind them.

“”What are you doing in Darcy's room? Darcy did he do something?” Max was immediately protective of her. She raised her shoulders, in a way feeling comfort from her friend and how protective he truly was of her. It didn't matter how close Leo and him had gotten over the last few weeks.

“Max, it isn't like that! We were just talking and we ended up falling asleep. That's it.” Darcy exhaled through her nose, trying to remain as calm as possible. Saying the words herself wasn't helping.

“I'd never try anything knowing she's your girl, Max.” Leo stood, brushing imaginary dirt of his clothes. Darcy had to turn to him this time, giving him a questioning look.

“My what?”

“Your girlfriend. I'd never do that to someone especially someone I see as a friend now.” Darcy and Max glanced at each other before laughing simultaneously.

“Leo, you think we are dating?” Max questioned once he sobered up from his laughter.

“You've made it kind of obvious.” Darcy immediately stopped laughing at the comment from Leo. She never thought her closeness with Max would make it seem as if they were dating. Were others confused by their relationship, too? How could they be when Max was pretty open about his relationship with his fiance.

“I'm actually engaged to someone else, man. We are just close friends.” Max grinned back at Leo, unable to make fun of him anymore due to the respect that was shown to him. Leo stayed quiet, however, only accepting Max's words with a nod of his head.

“Max what if you escort Leo out, or something? I don't think he should be seen leaving my room alone. Not with the live camera pointed right at the hallway.” Darcy began to pace back and forth, trying to think of a way out.

“But what happened last night?!”

“Max, nothing happened. Just think of a way!” Darcy froze mid-pace to yell at her friend. He was like a true older brother right now, but one that she wanted to kick for being annoying and in her business.

“Don't stress. I know a way.” Leo retreated to a window as both Max and Darcy stared at him. It was only moments later that he popped out the window screen in her window and began to maneuver his way out.

“I'll let myself in through the front door in a little while and come up with some excuse. Just act like I am truly missing.” Leo grinned back at them before running out of sight. Darcy collapsed tiredly onto the end of her bed. Max stood beside her, peering at her with eyebrows raised. She did her best to ignore him.

“Spill! Tell me the dirt.” Max grinned after only a few moments.

“Max, I am serious. Nothing happened!”

“You can't exactly call it nothing, can you?” Max was teasing her and she had to take a deep breath to face her closest friend. He was still smirking as if he knew something she didn't. She instantly gave up any argument she was going to attempt and after a moment she grabbed a handful of clothes before heading to the shower. Max would get the hint to leave her alone and to stop teasing her.

When Leo returned, Darcy, Max and police chief Grant were sitting in the living area in silence. Max and Darcy refused to say much, other than they weren't sure where Leo was. Leo didn't return alone. Rather, his mother accompanied him through the front door and they were both covered in smiles. Darcy had been so distracted while Leo was gone, that she hadn't realized it had snowed quite a bit since he had left that morning.

“Wow, hello everyone.” Leo sobered as he came into the living room. Darcy had to hand it to him for his acting. He had come up with a fool proof way to get out of the predicament and it would come at very little cost to Darcy and her team.

“Leo James. Mrs. James.” Chief Grant stood from the sofa he was sitting on and grabbed the attention of everyone present. “I'd like to ask where you've been? A lot of people have been worried.”

Leo glanced at Darcy briefly before glancing at the live cameras. He straightened and tugged his mother closer to him. “I was at my parents' house. I should have told everyone but I needed some time for my family. I built little snowmen with my younger sister and ate some of my mom's wonderful cooking.” After he was done explaining, Leo let out an unnoticeable breath of relief and glanced back to the police chief.

“I'd like to talk to you both. Privately.”

As Mrs. James passed Darcy, she reached out briefly in greeting. The familiar look in Mrs. James eyes was enough for Darcy to believe that everything would turn out ok. During their questioning, Darcy parked herself at the kitchen table while reviewing the news going on around the nation as well as the comments in the live feed. There was several negative comments about how Darcy and her team did not cover Leo's excursion to his parent's house but otherwise the comments just spoke of how close mother and son must be to come in with such smiles. Darcy sat back, grinning as she thought about the comments and how much Leo must have enjoyed his time away from cameras and free to be who he really was. Did Darcy truly get to see his relaxed manner or was it another front he put up with her even when they were off camera?

“What are you smiling at?” Max startled her by whispering in her ear. She jumped so that she nearly fell backwards in her chair. After regaining her composure, she glared at her friend who just smiled and took the seat next to her. “Couldn't be about a certain someone, could it?”

“Max, please!” Darcy whined before glancing at the live cameras. She tried to make it a point so he would drop the subject. To further her point, she delved into the schedule for the next week.

“Darcy.” Her conversation was suddenly halted when Leo interrupted her. She glanced up, surprised to be called and even more surprised with the sudden grumpiness attached to Leo's face. She glanced behind to Mrs. James who just shrugged her shoulders. “Police Chief would like to talk to you.”

She didn't say a word, quickly passing everyone to step into Leo's studio for the first time. It was where the Chief had waited for her, but she couldn't help but to delay their conversation as she became impressed with the space. She had only seen it through the live feed before today.

“Darcy.” Chief Grant greeted her with a small, wise smile. She greeted him back nervously, suddenly chewing on her lower lip. “Leo told me what happened. What really happened.”

“He did?” Darcy nearly screeched, bouncing on her tip-toes. Chief Grant watched her reaction before laughing and taking a seat. Darcy followed his lead and took a seat that faced him.

“I know it has been a while, but I wanted to remind you to not let down your guard with him. He is the only lead in these murder cases. I do admit, once again, that I don't believe he is guilty but as you saw today he is a pretty good actor. Don't forget that if there is anything you need to tell me, you have my business card. At least, I hope you still have it.” Chief Grant became serious, his arms crossing over his chest.

“Yes, sir. I have it in a safe place.” Darcy frowned, the words of the Chief hitting her face on. The truth was she had let her guard down, but not because of Leo. Her family and work drama had distracted her from keeping a distance. Truthfully, it had become a welcome distraction. “I understand what you are trying to say, I do. However, I'll maintain that I believe Leo is completely innocent.”

Chief Grant stared at her for a long time before finally raising to his feet with a smile. “I'm glad to hear that your feelings have not changed since being here. Take care of yourself, Darcy.” He shook her hand before leading their exit out of the studio. In a few short moments the Chief was gone and Darcy sat down for a long, friendly conversation with Mrs. James.

 ________________________

Over the last week, Darcy and Leo had seemingly decided to keep their distance from each other. Leo scheduled more studio time which left Darcy free to exercise and get other work done. However, it felt as though something was missing. The interviews they did have seemed forced. The ease they once had with each other seemed to evaporate, though tension seemed to linger between them as though there was something they both wanted to say but just couldn't.

When it finally came to the morning of her day off, Darcy was so ready for freedom that she was up by 5 and the sun hadn't risen yet. She prepared a small duffle bag for her one night away and headed out into the cold air.

After she was situated in her car, Darcy sat there for a few moments. It had been a long time since she had the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of her own vehicle and took a moment to appreciate it. What she didn't expect was for her car not to start. For half an hour she willed and begged her car to jump to life, but it continuously failed with each turn of her key. She gave up by crying out and slumping her head against the steering wheel.

“Darcy?” A knock on her window forced her to shout in surprise. When she glanced outside, she quickly realized it was Leo staring in at her and she had a strange feeling of deja vu. She pushed herself out of her car, noting that Leo had a mug of coffee in his hands. “You're leaving this early?”

“That was my plan. The other crew should be here in about an hour and I didn't want to get in their way.” Darcy mumbled bitterly, glaring down at her car while Leo inspected it.

“Well, hate to break it to you, but I think you won't be saving your car.”

Darcy whined at his words. Her car had been so trustworthy in the past even if it was old and probably unsafe to drive anymore. She knew it wouldn't last forever, but she hated to part with it.

“It belonged to my mother. It's ancient but it got me around. I did my best to treat it well and it last me this long.” Darcy refused to look at Leo as she was unsure why she wanted to start rattling away.

“Will you let my mechanic take a look at it? He's very good at what he does.” Darcy hesitated, not sure that she should accept his help. After he insisted one more time, she gave in. She didn't have much choice, otherwise. “Take my car.”

“Leo, that is too much. I can't do that.”

“I insist.”

Before she could reject him again, Leo placed his car key in her hand and pointed at the black Camaro. It was parked only a few spots away and it looked spotless. Darcy already wanted to complain but Leo was retreating back inside.

With her bag, Darcy slid into the sleek and shiny Camaro. Darcy took her time getting used to the car and finding it interesting to be behind the driver's wheel in such an expensive and new vehicle. Darcy promised herself to repay Leo's kindness as she pulled out of the parking lot.

She took her time to drive to a coffee shop where she sat and worked on a few of her own projects for a couple hours. She then stopped by a grocery store, wanting to attempt at making a something that Mrs. Darcy had helped her with before. Finally, her last stop was home where she comfortably worked, slept and could talk to whomever she wanted without being overheard. For once, it was nice having freedom to do whatever she pleased.

Something was missing though. Darcy walked around her small apartment over and over trying to find what was out of place. Even when she was busy with her own work and even her exercise, she could still feel that something was missing. As the day came steadily to a close, Darcy put the live feed on while she cooked her supper. It was a simple soup but it was the one dish she was comfortable in remaking after having her lessons with Mrs. James. She laughed along as Leo seemed to be entertained by Jay, the junior reporter, and Micky the cameraman.

 While she ate, Darcy found that Leo seemed happy, almost carefree as he played different songs through his sound system. Darcy realized that she had never really seen this side to Leo and fell asleep being entertained by him just as she was sure the entire nation was.