A Gun In The House

Chapter 3: The house

Emily and Paul were on their way home after leaving the Police station. They got into their car and drove off. There was silence along the way as Paul drove. Emily thought back at that moment when Shane had placed both his hands on her cheeks. While her husband was driving, she settled her thoughts on that very moment.

She knew back in the past, holding her like that meant a kiss would follow immediately. She felt a longing for those moments and imagined it all happening between her and Shane again. Does he still find me attractive after all these years? she asked herself. She shrugged.

"What are you thinking, Emily?" Paul asked as he kept driving.

"Just thinking of what I got myself into, that's all." she replied not wanting to think of the little flirt she had with Shane.

"You're were in good company." he said refering to Shane, "It wasn't bad, was it?" Emily turned from her thoughts and faced her husband knowing quite well what he meant.

"Paul what are you implying?" she asked him. Paul was stunned by her sudden reaction to his statement. He kept quiet.

"I get what you mean." she said noticing his silence.

"Really?" he finally asked her.

"Shane and I had a thing before I met you. To be clear, I was still with him when we started." she replied

"I know, that's why I feel this case will work in your favor." he said smiling.

"Do I have to understand that to mean you thinking I might hook up with him again?" she asked looking squarely at him. Paul was silent refusing to answer the question immediately. Then clearing his throat he said the one thing that got Emily boiling.

"I mean when that lady colleague came to replace him, I had a feeling..." he paused

"What?"

"I mean you know how these thing go. You meet again, the spark comes back again and then....""Stop right there Paul!" She interrupted him immediately, " I was interrogated by a man I hardly thought I would ever meet again."

"Great, so that means you never knew he was working at the Wilkan County Police station?" he asked. Emily didn't answer his question as they had just approached her house. She told him to stop and when he did so, she stepped out of the car and stood in front of it.

Paul came out and observed her as she stood staring at it like it was about to be demolished. He walked up to her and put his hands around her shoulders. She stared at him and smiled.

"I had a buyer offer me $200,000.00. I could have accepted it." she said regretfully

"Well now it's under investigation." Paul replied.

"And thinking it was all I needed to get away from this place."

Paul looked at his wife and the one question he had always wanted to ask her was how she didn't know about the gun.

"Yeah.Who knows when another opportunity like this will come our way?" Paul asked as Emily walked up to the front door. She read the Police statement on the front door.

House under seizure pending investigation.

She kept looking at it still unable to understand how the Police found a gun in the house that had been used, as the Police declared, not too long ago. Her thoughts went back to that moment the suspect the Police was after, entered the house and went out through the back door.

Like other days, that day was no different. Her coming to the house and opening all the doors and windows to refreshen the house was almost like a daily ritual. She remembered leaving her husband at home that day. He was asleep and she didn't want to bother him.

The excitement of selling the house was her main motivation for getting up early in the morning and opening the house. When she found a buyer, she didn't agree to the price being offered her. Then three days after, the Police found the gun.

Emily turned and walked away from the front door and headed towards the car. She had a feeling something wasn't right; that there might have been some foul play somewhere along the line. She knew how orderly and meticuolous she was.

She knew where she kept everything. After all, she and Paul lived there for years before they bought their own house and moved out. So how could I not have know this gun was in the house? she asked herself as she got to the car.

"Paul?" she called out not seeing him in the car. She looked around, but couldn't find him. Paul had gone to the back of the house and came out just in time to see Emily also heading towards the back.

"Emily?" he called out. Emily turned and looked at him.

"Where were you for Christ sake, Paul?" she asked getting angry.

"I'm right here." he replied approaching the car.

"Yeah and you didn't hear me?" she asked as she also approached the car. Paul opened the car for her to get in. When she got in and Paul closed the door, she stared at the house again.

"Paul?" Paul had just got in and started the car when Emily called him.

"I have a feeling something is not right Paul." she said as he left. She kept staring at the house from behind as Paul drove off. When it was out of sight she turned and faced her husband.

"Something is not right, Paul." she repeated.

"I heard that the first time." he replied.

"And you ignored me?" she asked looking squarely at him.

"And what was I suppose to do?" he asked while driving. Emily frowned at his attitude and reacted.

"I have a feeling you taking important issues lightly." she said feeling a little neglected. Paul looked at her and smiled

"I'm driving now, I have to take you home safely. Isn't that important enough?" he asked placing a hand on her laps. Emily looked at him without saying a word. She placed a hand on his hand and held it. She felt relaxed and knew when they got home Paul would give her the attention he wasn't giving her right now.

"True. It's important we arrive safely." she said returning the smile.