My chest tightened at his words. They had likely spoken to the neighbors before coming here. Charlie’s reputation was not good to begin with. He was often seen bringing home different women while I was out, something that had sparked many whispered warnings from my neighbors.
Although they meant well, I had long hoped that one of those women would finally take him away for good. I had even imagined myself thanking her for that.
Officer Collins’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Was there anything unusual before he disappeared?”
In the face of his sharp and probing gaze, I swallowed hard, struggling to keep my composure. "No, not really,” I stammered, “But he did take a call the night before he left. He seemed happy, though I didn’t know who he was speaking to.”
Officer Collins nodded slowly, his eyes drifting away from me.
His gaze landed the old freezer in the corner of the kitchen. It didn’t match the rest of the room, standing out like a relic of time.
"This freezer,” Officer Collins muttered, stepping toward it, “looks a little out of place.”