Trade Anything Complete Story

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Trade Anything

By M. Daniel Nickle

The yellow ball of the afternoon sun was camouflaged with high floating helium balloon clusters that outlined the backyard. Daphne had been looking forward to her friend Clarice’s birthday party all week. Clarice’s mom Beatrice greeted Daphne and her dad Max at the front door and led them through the house to the party in progress. Daphne was wide-eyed at all the bright colored balloons and the picnic table loaded with Clarice’s presents, party hats, and cupcakes.

When Clarice spotted Daphne, she ran up to her friend to welcome her and introduce her to some of the girls Daphne didn’t know. “Thanks for coming to my party, Daphne,” she said. “Is that present for me?”

“I hope you like it,” Daphne said as she handed over the package wrapped in dancing unicorns and rainbows.

“Thanks. I’ll put it on the table and we can play with the other girls.”

Before running off with Clarice, Daphne turned to her father. “Thank you for bringing me, Dad. See ya later!”

“Have a good time, sweetheart.”

“I think the girls will have fun, Max. I’ll keep an eye on them. You have nothing to worry about.”

“I know, Beatrice. This will be good for her. Daphne has kept to herself quite a bit since her mother, well, you know.”

Beatrice smiled and touched Max’s arm. “It must be tough on a little girl. She’ll be fine here. I’ll make sure she has a fun time. We’re planning on opening gifts and having cupcakes and ice cream around four. I think the girls will be ready to go home by four thirty. Either I or one of the other mothers can drive Daphne home, if you like.”

“I can't think of putting you out like that, Beatrice. I’ll be here for Daphne at four thirty.”

Max’s voice said he was leaving, but his feet didn't move. Beatrice took his arm to lead him away. “You better get going before you get roped into playing a game. Don’t worry. Daphne is fine.”

“You’re right, of course. I seldom get time to be alone these days. I’ll see you at four thirty.” He paused to watch Daphne playing for just a minute more and then walked with Beatrice through the gate on the side of the house. As she opened the gate for Max she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“See you at four thirty,” she repeated.

Max got into his car and drove the few blocks to his house. When he pulled into the driveway he noticed the draperies in the living room were closed. I could have sworn I opened the drapes before we left for school this morning, he thought to himself. Then again, Daphne ran late getting ready so they left in a bit of a rush.

He unlocked the front door and walked in. He removed his sport coat and placed it on the back of a chair as he went to the TV room to relax. He never had time for an afternoon nap recently since there was always something to do to take care of the house or Daphne after work. Not that he minded. Max loved his little girl more than anything. With his wife away, he was playing dual parenting roles as well as handy man.

He sat down in his recliner and pulled the side lever to raise his feet and lower his back. Just as he started to relax into sleep a familiar fragrance startled him awake and into the upright position for springing to his feet. Evening In Paris. His wife’s favorite perfume wafted in from the hall. Rebecca couldn’t be in the house. That wasn’t possible.

The judge remanded her to an upstate psychiatric hospital instead of prison for attempted murder. Max’s beloved Rebecca had tried to stab him to death while he slept. Fortunately all but two of her strikes had missed their mark. Max managed with some effort to loosen his wife's grip and hurl the kitchen knife across the room. He had grabbed hold of Rebecca’s wrists by the time the police arrived in response to the neighbors' 911 call to report a woman shrieking like a banshee at one in the morning.

“You think I don’t know about you and that whore? Everyone in the neighborhood knows about you and her charity work! With a husband like hers I can’t for the life of me figure what she wants with a ball-less wonder like you! I’ll be a widow before I’ll be a divorcee!”

The police busted the door to get in and mistakenly ordered Max take his hands off the woman, believing she was being attacked. Once free, Rebecca lunged for the knife and screamed “You’re going to die, Max!”

The police quickly corrected their mistake by grabbing Rebecca, handcuffing her and putting her in the back of the squad car. One of the officers who returned to check on Max noticed that Max was bleeding and radioed for an ambulance.

All the screaming and sirens woke Daphne. Max saw the child trembling in the hallway.  Even a tourniquet couldn’t keep him from rushing to his daughter to hug her, kiss her and say, “Everything’s all right, Daphne. Mommy has to go to the hospital, but Daddy’s here.”

Mrs. Danvers from next door appeared and said Daphne could spend the night at her house if she wanted to.

“Would you like that, Daphne? Would you like to stay with Mrs. Danvers tonight?”

“Why can’t I stay here with you, Daddy?”

“Sweetheart, Daddy has to see a doctor and get his arm bandaged. It might take a while and I don’t want you to miss out on your dreams. Mrs. Danvers has a nice bed waiting for you.”

“Let’s go and get some school clothes for tomorrow, Daphne. Then we’ll go to my house and have some milk and perhaps a cookie. Would you like that?”

The girl nodded yes and reached for Mrs. Danvers’s hand.

“We’ll get her clothes and be on our way, Max. Daphne will be fine with me. Do you need anything yourself?”

“No, thanks, Mrs. D. I’m in good hands. Sorry for the disturbance.”

“Think nothing of it. This wasn’t your doing. Everyone knows that. I’ll help Daphne get her things and we’ll be on our way.”

Now Max followed the scent until he came face to face with the woman who tried to kill him.

“What’s the matter, Max? Cat got your tongue? It’s good to see you, too, darling. Where’s my little girl? Where’s Daphne?”

“She's not here.”

“You always had a knack for stating the obvious. I know she’s not here. I’ve searched the house. So where is she? I want to see my daughter!”

“That's not going to happen, Rebecca. How did you get out? How did you get here?”

“Don’t you worry your little brain, my pet. That doctor knew what he was doing when he offered to tune up the motor after Daphne tore me up. Leave to your offspring to try to walk out of the womb. That man’s genius makes men want to do what I say. I mean real men. Present company excluded. My pussy never had much effect on you. So what’s the attraction for that whore?” An idea occurred to Rebecca that struck her funny. “Or is it her? Maybe that stud she’s married to that gets you going, is that it? Do the three of you do it together or does she watch?” Rebecca laughs a hearty laugh at the sight of the threesome together. “That’s it, isn’t it? Really darling if you wanted a dick up your ass you should have said so. I would have strapped one on for you.”

“You don’t have the power to goad me anymore. You just have commitment papers. The police will be here shortly. I’d leave if I were you.”

There was a knock at the door. A man shouted, “Mr. Winters? Are you in there?”

“You sonofabitch! I should have killed you when I had the chance.”

“Keep talking, my dear. I hit 911 on my cellphone when I first smelled your perfume. The police have heard every word you said. Excuse me. I need to get the door.”

Once again, the police handcuffed Mrs. Winters and deposited her in the backseat of the squad car. Max followed the little entourage out of the house. This time his wife held her head down and remained silent. Rebecca caught sight of him as the officer closed the car door. She let her eyes say it all. Max didn’t blink; in fact, he tried not to smile.  Rebecca’s little scene practically guaranteed his plan was going to work perfectly.

The patrol car turned the corner at the end of the block, and Max started to go inside. There was a lilt in his step that hadn’t been there earlier.

“Max!” someone shouted.

He saw Mrs. Danvers walking toward him across the lawn. “Hello, Mrs. Danvers,” he said with a smile and a wave.

When his neighbor was within range of being able to speak in a confidential tone Mrs. Danvers asked, “Was that Mrs. Winters I saw in that police car?”

“Yes, that was my wife. She decided to take a break from therapy to visit Daphne.”

“She hasn’t been released has she?”

“No, her little outing came as a surprise to everyone. She’s on her way back where she belongs now, Mrs. Danvers. There’s no need to worry.”

“Where is Daphne, by the way, Mr. Winters?”

‘She’s safe. She’s at her friend Clarice’s birthday party. I’ll bring her home around four thirty.”

“If you don’t mind my saying so, Mr. Winters, you look like you could do with a nap. Why don’t you take it easy and I’ll bring the child home.”

“That’s kind of you, Mrs. Danvers, but I don’t want to put you out. Beatrice, that’s Clarice’s mother as you may know, had also offered to drive her home after the party, but I’m happy to get her.”

‘Nonsense, Mr. Winters. What are neighbors for? You go inside and I’ll fetch Daphne for you. I was going to do some marketing anyway. Beatrice’s will be on my way home. It’s no trouble at all.”

“Okay. You win, Mrs. Danvers. I am a little tired. I’m going to take advantage of your offer and the chance for forty winks. I’ll see you later on. Thanks, again.”

Max didn’t think he had been asleep for very long when he was awakened by the doorbell. Whoever was at the door was pressing the doorbell button like it was it was his job. “I’m coming. I’m coming!” He called out as he walked toward the door.

He opened the door to a frantic Mrs. Danvers. “Mr. Winters, oh, Mr. Winters!” the woman was visibly shaken. “I don’t know how to tell you―.”

“Tell me what, Mrs. Danvers? Come inside and tell me what has you so upset.” As he stepped aside to allow her entry, Max looked past her toward her car looking for his daughter. “Where’s Daphne?”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

“What’s happened? Tell me, Mrs. Danvers, where’s Daphne? Where’s my little girl?”

“When I arrived at Beatrice’s, there was no sign of anyone at home. No one answered the front door. I went around to the side gate and the back yard was empty.”

“All the other girls had gone home? What about Beatrice and Clarice? Surely they were there, right?”

“Mr. Winters, there was no sign of anyone. No trace of anything to say a birthday party had been there. Nothing. The backyard didn’t look like any children had ever been there at all!”

“That can’t be, Mrs. Danvers! Where would they have gone?”

“I don’t know, Mr. Winters. That’s why I came straight back here.”

“Let’s drive over there and take a look around. If Beatrice isn’t home, maybe one of the neighbors saw something. We have to find them!”

“Maybe we should call the police.”

“No, let’s not just yet. I’m going over there for another look. You’re welcome to come with me if you like. I certainly understand if you’d rather not.”

“This has all been such a shock, Mr. Winters. I think I need to go home and sit down with a cup of tea. I’m telling you there was not a soul anywhere around that house. My advice is to call the police.”

“I’m so sorry your kindness is repaid with upset, Mrs. Danvers. You go on and calm yourself. I’m going to drive over there. I’m sure there’s an explanation. There’s no need to involve the police just yet. Besides, if I know my wife, Rebecca is giving them their fill of my family as we speak. I’ll walk you to your door.”

“Will you call me when you return, Mr. Winters? I’ll be anxious to know the little girl is home safe and sound.”

“Of course, Mrs. Danvers, I will call you. Better yet, Daphne will call you herself.”

The older woman let herself inside her house and closed her door. As Max backed out of his driveway, he spotted Mrs. Danvers watching him through her picture window. When the car was out of sight, Mrs. Danvers removed her little notepad from her purse. She opened it as she pick up the receiver of her phone and tapped the number she had written down.

When the person on the other end of the line answered, Mrs. Danvers said, “He’s on his way,” and hung up. She then went to her kitchen to put water on the boil for her tea.

Tires squealed and laid rubber on the pavement when Max’s car turned the corner on his way back to Clarice’s house. Adrenaline transfused from his body into the car. The brakes took hold mere fractions of an inch from Clarice’s garage door. In his haste, Max pushed the shifter into park, but forgot to turn the engine off. Pounding on the front door brought out the neighbor directly across the street, but no one from the intended house. Not even when he yelled “Clarice, Clarice! Open up? Daphne! Daphne! Can you hear me, baby? It’s Dad. I’m here to take you home, sweetheart. Open the door! Clarice, in the name of God open this door.”

The neighbor man from across the street called out, “Mister! You’re wasting your breath! No one lives there. Moved out months ago. Went to Montana or Wyoming or some place out there. House is still for sale.”

“No, you’re wrong. I dropped my daughter off here earlier this afternoon for a birthday party. A woman named Clarice lives here with her daughter Lisa. It was Lisa’s party. Someone has to be home,” Max yelled back.

Now frantic, Max ran around to the side of the house to the gate where Clarice had shown him out. A clear view of the backyard showed no hint of a child’s party that had taken place. No lawn furniture. No picnic table. No balloons. The smallest piece of wrapping paper wasn’t to be seen. Max tried to open the gate, but it was locked from the inside. He stood there shaking the gate to keep himself from shaking. The smell of beer assaulted his nostrils. He turned  around sharply and almost elbowed the man in the face. “I don’t understand. Just a couple hours ago this backyard was filled with littler girls my daughter’s age. There were dozens of balloons around the yard. A picnic table was loaded with birthday gifts and cupcakes.”

“You must have the wrong house, Mister. Like I said, no one’s lived here in months. If people had been dropping off their kids here, I would have seen it. I live just right over there.” He made a broad gesture to his house across the street that was an indicator of the beer he had consumed. Max doubted the man would have noticed anything. The neighbor sensed the disbelief and commented, “I noticed you, didn’t I? I noticed you almost crashed the garage door even before you started yelling like a maniac. C’mon over to my place. We’ll have a beer and get this situation sorted out.”

“I don’t need a beer. I need to find my daughter.”

“I’ll help you find your daughter, but we need a plan. To make a plan I for one need a beer. C’mon. Whaddayasay? Micro-brewed.”

Max nodded his agreement. The two men walked around to the front of the house. A news van with a satellite on the roof blocked the driveway. A reporter and her cameraman approached with microphone extended.

“I understand your daughter is missing. Would you like to tell your story to our viewing audience? I’m Roberta Calef, Fox TV 5 News. I’d like to get you on the air right away so viewers can help locate your little girl. So do you think it was a kidnapping for ransom? Have the kidnappers contacted you? Folks, I am Roberta Calef Fox News and we are live on the scene of child abduction where the tragic story is still unfolding. Back to you in the newsroom.”

“I didn’t get you name?”

“You didn’t ask. Who called you? How did you know to come here?”

“I still don’t know your name?”

“Winters, Max Winters. I want, no I demand to know who called you here!”

“Mr. Winters, we don’t reveal our sources and this time I couldn’t if I wanted to. An anonymous tip. I assume it was the same person who called you.”

“No one called me. I dropped my daughter off her a couple hours ago to attend her friend’s birthday party. I planned to pick her up now.”

“Mr. Winters, this house is obviously empty and for sale.”

“It wasn’t earlier this afternoon.”

“Mr. Winters, you didn’t notice the realtor’s sign in the front yard?”

“Where did that come from? I never saw any for sale sign. I tell you I dropped my daughter off for her friend’s birthday party. The place was full of little girls having a good time. The house was not empty and there was no sign in the front yard or anywhere around here.”

“Mr. Winter’s, at the risk of sounding insensitive I must ask if you are in the habit of dropping your little girl off at houses without checking with the other parents first?”

“I didn’t just drop her off. I escorted Daphne into the party. I know the mother of the little girl. Her name is Clarice. We’ve met several times for school functions and play dates for the girls. Why are you trying to make me out to be some irresponsible bum? I am a good parent. I need to find my daughter and frankly you are wasting my time! Now if you’ll excuse me I have some calls to make.”

“Like the police, Mr. Winters? Have you even cared enough to call the police about your missing daughter?”

“I haven’t had time. I just got here minutes before you arrived and shoved a microphone in my face and asking me inane questions!”

“There you have it folks straight from the father’s mouth. His daughter is missing and he has yet to phone the police. We will keep you updated as the case develops. I’m Roberta Calef Fox News TV 5.”

“Your camera was rolling this whole time? I heard you say you were turning the telecast back to the newsroom!”

“Yes. Well, sometimes in suspicious cases like yours we get the best part of the story after the interviewee thinks it’s over. Just like I did with you now. Instead of standing here berating me, I’d find a phone if I were you and call the police. C’mon, Jim. We’ve got enough from here. Let’s get over to the station and find out what the police think of all this.”

“C’mon, buddy. Winters, is it? You can call me Giles. Giles Corey’s m’name. I think you could really do with a beer. You can use my phone.”

The neighbor man placed his arm across Max’s shoulders and guided him across the street. “Do you like micro-breweries? Well, you’re in for a treat with this one.”  As Giles pushed his front door open and stepped aside so Max could go enter the house, he caught a glimpse of a yellow balloon soaring into the sky from the backyard across the street. He smiled. “Yessir, I think you’re going to enjoy this little brew of mine. Comes from an old Massachusetts family recipe, made right here in Newtown. One of my favorites.” Giles followed his guest inside and closed the door.

“Where’s your phone?”

“What? Oh yes, the phone. It’s there in the living room next to my reading chair. Go ahead. Make yourself to home and make your call. I’ll take my time in the kitchen getting our beers.”

Max went into the living room, sat down next to the phone and dialed 9-1-1. Max thought it’s been a while since he had seen a phone with an actual dial. He was surprised the antique instrument still worked. He just replaced the receiver when his host entered the room carrying two bottles and two steins. “Sorry to intrude, but it looked like you were finished. I figured it was time for refreshments.”

“Sure. No problem. The call didn’t take long.”

“What did they say, the police I mean, if I’m not being too nosey?”

“They told me she hadn’t really been gone long enough to be a missing person. If I cared to call it a kidnapping they would send a car right over.”

“Better get these down before we’re interrupted then,” Giles said as he opened one of the bottles and poured its contents into one of the steins.

“None for me. Thanks Giles. I want to be on my game when I talk to the police.”

“What a little nip of something stronger to calm your nerves? That reporter seemed to get your goat as they say.”

“No, thanks anyway.” Max had a clear view of the house across the street from where he sat. “You really do see the whole show from here, don’t you, Giles?”

Giles said he did indeed and once again offered Max the second beer before he drank it himself.

“There are the police now. Thank you for your hospitality, Giles. I better go talk to them now.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Max looked puzzled.

“For moral support. You never know what could happen. You need a witness when dealing with the law. Believe me. I know that for a fact.”

Max shrugged and left the house.

He approached the plain clothes police officers who were standing on the driveway by now examining Max’s car.

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” Max said with his arm extended to shake hands. “I’m Max Winters. I called about my daughter Daphne.”

“Mr. Winters, we looked around a little and see no sign of any child’s party here. Are you sure this is the right house?”

“Of course I’m sure. Could I see some identification, please. Since you’re not in police uniforms and your car looks like a regular car, you understand.”

“Of course, sorry. I’m Detective John Hathorne. This is Officer Mercy Lewis. You reported that you came here to pick up your daughter after her friend’s birthday party, is that right?”

“Yes, that’s right. I dropped her off her a couple hours ago and then returned to bring her home. As you can see, there’s no one here. Someone has taken my daughter somewhere and I want your help to get her back.”

“I understand,” Detective Hathorne replied. “We couldn’t find any proof of a party having taken place here. Are you absolutely certain we’re at the right house?”

“Of course, I am. I live only a few streets over. I know my own neighborhood for chrissakes!”

“Mr. Winters, have you been contacted by anyone claiming to have your daughter?” It was Officer Lewis who asked.

“No. I haven’t been back home. After coming back here and finding an empty house I went to the neighbor’s house across the street to call 9-1-1.”

“I can attest to that,” Giles chimed in.

“And you are?” the detective asked.

“I’m Giles Corey. The neighbor across the street with the phone.” Giles thrust out his hand. “Nice to make your acquaintances, I’m sure.”

“Mr. Corey, did you happen to notice a child’s party going on? Other people dropping off their kids?”

“No, can’t say that I did. I’ve been home all day. Well, except for a quick trip to the liquor store to buy beer. Other than that though I’ve been here the entire time. The only ruckus I witnessed was when Max pulled into the driveway there like a bat outta hell and almost crashed through that garage door there. And then he was pounding on the door and shouting some names. That’s when I come out and tried to help him.”

“Giles, really, the police don’t want to know―.”

“That’s all right, Mr. Winters. Let’s hear what the man has to say. Continue, Mr. Corey,” the detective said. “Mr. Winters was shouting names, you said? Do you know who he was calling for?”

“One name was Daphne. That I found out is the name of his little girl. There other one was Clarice. I don’t know who she is. Never heard of her before.”

“Clarice is the woman who lives, lived in that house. The party was for Clarice’s daughter Clarice.”

“You do know, Mr. Winters, this house is vacant? There’s a for sale sign right over there.”

“Yes, I see the sign now, but it wasn’t there when I brought my little girl to the party. Like I told the reporter, I had met Clarice several times before. I wasn’t handing my daughter over to a stranger.”

“Wait a minute. You’ve spoken to the press before you even notified the police department?” Officer Lewis wanted to know.

“The bitch ambushed him when he―.”

“It’s okay, Giles. Let me tell the police what happened.”

“Giles? So you two are friends?”

“No. I met him just now when he offered to let me use his phone to call you.”

“I see,” the detective said as he wrote someone in his notebook.

“Mrs. Danvers―.”

“Who’s this Mrs. Danvers,” Officer Lewis asked.

“I think we’ve talked too much out here in the street. I think we should go to the precinct and finish our conversation there, Mr. Winters. You can ride with us if you want to leave your car parked where it is.”

“I’ll drive myself, if it’s all right with you. I’ll meet you there. No reason to leave my car parked in someone else’s driveway.”

“No one lives there to mind one bit,” Giles said. “But that’s your call. I’ll just lock up and ride with you, Max.”

“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Corey. Mr. Winters is simply going to finish telling us what we need to know to begin our investigation. He’ll be home in no time.”

“You need a witness who’s on your side, Max. You’ll want me with you,” Giles Corey said as he tried to maneuver a place next to Max.

Officer Lewis blocked his path. “Thank you Mr. Corey, but we may have some questions for you later on. We can’t allow the pair of you to collaborate your stories right in front of us. You go on home now. We know where to find you if we need you.”

“But, Max ―.”

“I’m fine, Giles. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself any further on my behalf. Thank you for letting me use your phone.”

Those who were going to the precinct got into their respective cars and drove away while Giles watched from his chair in the picture window. He picked up the phone and dialed. “He’s on his way to the police station now.” He replaced the receiver into its place on the old style desk style phone. He told himself he had earned another beer. He agreed with himself and went to the kitchen to fetch it.

Meanwhile, Max realized his shirt is soaked through with perspiration. The stress and anxiety of his missing daughter, the reporter ambush, and now talking to the police was taking a toll on his nerves. He thought he was coping, but apparently he was wrong. Max hated to sweat. He hated how it felt as much as how it looked. Sweat made people look like liars. Just ask Richard Nixon. Sweat cost him the debate with Kennedy and ultimately the election. Almost as though his car had a mind of its own and could read his thoughts, the car turned right onto the street where Max lived. At least the car tried to take him home.

The street was blocked by police cars, an ambulance, two fire trucks and the fire chief’s SUV. A uniformed policeman stepped up to his car to say “You can’t come this way, sir.”

Max pulled over to the curb and got of out of the car. “I live on this street, officer. Which house is on fire?”

“The fifth house from the end on the other side of the street.”

“That’s my house!” Max replied.

“Sorry, sir. The fire department is doing everything they can. You’ll have to stay back.”

Max debated with himself about what to do next. That officer wasn’t going to let him get any closer. There was nothing to do but wait. Should he go to the precinct as planned? At least now his soaked through shirt was understandable of a man who’s daughter is missing and whose house is burning to the ground. He returned to the car and pulled a small notepad from the glove compartment. He wrote down his name and phone number which he quickly crossed through and wrote his cellphone number. There wasn’t any point in giving the man the phone to the house under the circumstances.

“Shit!” The page tore into instead of tearing off the pad. He wadded it up and tossed it to the floor. He wrote the note again but without the earlier mistake. Everything happens for a reason after all he cheered himself. The notepad easily relinquished the second page. Max found the officer and handed him the note.

“Here’s my name and cellphone number. I’m on my way to the precinct to meet with Detective Hathorne. Please call me when the fire is out so I can try to salvage some of my things.”

“Will do, sir, but it may be a while.”

With only a nod, Max returned to his car and drove away. As he parked his car, Max saw Detective Hathorne waiting in front.

“I was beginning to think you had had an accident.”

“I was in a way. I passed my house on the way here. Fire trucks filled the street. My house is on fire.”

“How awful. No wonder you were late. Do they have the fire under control?

“Controlled I think, but not extinguished. The police officer guarding the street said he would call me when I can go back to see if there is anything I can salvage. I mentioned I was coming to see you. I also gave him my cell number.”

“Fine, fine. This shouldn’t take long. I know you must be frazzled by the day you’re having.”

“I am. The house is insure of course, but still, there’s the little irreplaceable things you collect―.”

“There is that, Max. I may call you Max? However, I was referring to your daughter’s disappearance without a clue, or even any possible reliable witnesses. A house can be replaced, but a little girl?”

“All the more reason I hope to find a photograph of her and some of her toys and things. Those are the things I referred to, Detective. I couldn’t care less about the rest of it, but I have to save something for Daphne to have when she is found.” Max’s voice trembled and his eyes welled up as he spoke.

Detective Hathorne was about to say something when the door opened after a quick double knock. Officer Lewis said, “Sorry to interrupt, sir, but could I speak with you a minute outside?”

“Of course, Officer. Sorry, Max. I‘ll be right back.” Detective Hawthorne stood up and was behind the closed door before Max could think of a response.

A few minutes later Detective Hathorne returned. His demeanor was a lot more serious. “Mr. Winters, would you mind following me please? We need to continue our conversation in a more accommodating setting.”

“Sure. It’s all the same to me, Detective.” Max wondered what had changed, why he was now Mr. Winters instead of Max. Somehow he knew he really didn’t really want to know the answer, so he kept quiet.

The two men followed Officer Lewis down a hallway and into a formal interrogation room. Max was directed to a seat facing the requisite two-way mirror. The shirt that had dried out began to stick to his back again.

“Are Alice and the Mad Hatter on the other side there?” Max asked with a tone of forced cheerfulness.

“What?” Hathorne asked.

“Take a seat, Mr. Winters,” Officer Lewis instructed.

Max promptly did as he was told. He didn’t like this woman Lewis and tried very hard to not show it.

“Oh! I get it!” said Hathorne. “You were referring to Alice and the Looking Glass. No, Mr. Winters, I’m afraid this is not a fairytale no matter how much you may wish it to be.”

Max sat there and wondered what was to happen next. Lewis and Hathorne stared at Max as though he was expected to say something. So he did. “Have you found my daughter? Is that why we’re here?”

The two stone faces on the other side of the table maintained their silence.

“Is it bad news? Is Daphne, is my little girl―?”

“Your daughter has been found, Mr. Winters,” Detective Hathorne said while Officer Lewis scowled.

“Is she all right?”

“She’s a bit shaken up, but she seems to be fine. She’s at the hospital now being examined.”

“Oh, thank God! Thank God!” Max said with tears rolling down both cheeks. “Where was she? Where did you find her? Was anyone with her?”

“You can cut the grateful, happy father act, Mr. Winters,” Officer Lewis said. “You know where we found her so why don’t you come clean and tell us the truth about how she got there.” Officer Lewis spat her words like she was ridding her mouth of an unpleasant taste.

“We found your daughter in you basement, Mr. Winters. Do you want to continue the story from here?” Hathorne asked.

“In my basement? How in the hell did she get in the basement?”

“Are you really going to continue this innocent act, Mr. Winters?” Officer Lewis accused.

“Innocent act? What act? I’m happy you found her of course, especially ―. Wait. Was she in the fire? Is that what you’re telling me?”

“Firefighters found her once they had knocked down the flames.”

“But she is all right? You said she is all right.  She is all right?

“She is fine as far as we could tell without a thorough medical exam, Mr. Winters.” Officer Lewis answered. “What we want you to tell us is why you had your daughter handcuffed to a chair in your basement while you were running around telling everybody she had been abducted. That’s the big question here, Mr. Winters.”

“Handcuffed? I don’t know what you’re talking about! I swear to you I took Daphne to her friend’s birthday party. When I went back she was gone and nobody around there knows anything about anyone living in the house or the party. I’ve been worried sick. And now you have the balls to sit here and accuse me of some kind of scam while I kept my little girl handcuffed in my basement and set the house on fire? You people must be out of your fucking minds!” Max stopped when he heard the f-word fly out of his mouth. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t usually swear like that. I apologize, Office Lewis, especially to you.”

“Save it, Mr. Winters,” there was that knife edge tone again which Max could slap her for using to him.

“You know, Officer Lewis, when someone is apologizing to you the least you could try to not be such a bitch!” There. Max had finally told her what he thought about her.

“All right. Let’s cut the name calling,” Hathorne said. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. Officer Lewis, perhaps it would be better if you left the room. I see no point in you two antagonizing each other. That’s not the reason we’re here.”

“Fine,” Officer Lewis said as she stood up and left the room.

“Mr. Winters, let’s get back to how your daughter ended up handcuffed in your basement.”

“Detective, I’ve already told you. I don’t know.”

“Okay, Mr. Winters. Let’s watch one of the videos we also recovered from the fire and you can tell me about it.”

Hathorne stood and walked over to a video monitor and pressed the play button. The video showed a young girl sitting on a small chair.

“Is this your daughter, Mr. Winters?”

“Yes. That’s Daphne. What is this?

“Let’s see keep watching. I think things will become clear to you as we go along.”

A man’s voice instructed her to take off her shoes and socks. The girl began to cry. She said no. The man told her if she did what she was told she could go outside and play afterwards. So the girl removed her shoes and socks. Hathorne stopped the video.

“I don’t think we need to see any more to understand where this is going, do we, Mr. Winters? How long have you been abusing your daughter, Mr. Winters?”

“I have never touched my daughter, not like that.”

“Is that not your voice we hear coaching her in the video?

“I will tell you again, Detective Hathorne. I have never touched my daughter.”

“You just display her on video and sell her online to men who get their rocks off with children, Mr. Winters?”

“I want to call my lawyer. I’m entitled to legal counsel. I’m not saying another word until my lawyer is here.”

“Fine. I’m happy to offer you one of our guest suites. Just answer me this: what is it with guys like you who would trade anything for sex with a child?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“You have to know this isn’t the only video we saved for you. You will go to prison for child sexual abuse and maybe even arson.”

“Why would you guys even think to look at some videos from a burned out house, Detective?”

“That so called crazy wife of yours. She finally got someone to listen to her. She didn’t stab you in your sleep as you claimed. She was protecting the little girl. She told us about your movie business.”

“And you believe her?”

“Wouldn’t you if you were me? You look tired, Mr. Winters. Let’s get you checked in so you can lie down and get some rest.”

Two male officers entered the room. One of them handcuffed Max as Hathorne advised Max Winters of his rights. After being photographed and fingerprinted Max asked if he could wash the ink off his fingers.

“The ink will wear off. Besides, your cellmates will all have dirty fingers anyway,” Hathorne said.

Max was put into a cell with three other men who seemed to take no notice of him. One of them pointed to one of the lower bunks and told Max, “That one’s yours.” Max laid down facing the wall.

“Hey, Mister Sociable! Wha’ did ya do?” one asked.

“They say I set my house on fire.”

“Did you?”

“No.”

“Know who did?”

“Sorry. I’m really tired. I need some sleep,” Max replied without ever turning to face the other men. He quickly drifted off to sleep.

“Did you really think no one knew about you and your little jerk circle of friends, Max?” Rebecca asked.

“How could you do that to a child, especially your own daughter, Mr. Winters?”

“Mrs. Danvers, I wouldn’t do anything to harm Daphne. You know me, Mrs. Danvers. Do you really think I would hurt her? This is all Rebecca’s insane accusations. We’ve all somehow gotten trapped in her vengeful madness. I-I’m not what you think.”

“That’s what we’re all discovering Max. You need to take some time for self examination. You need to see your sin, repent and ask God’s forgiveness.” Clarice now had joined the group. The same Clarice Rebecca envied for her beauty, her better husband, and for Max’s affection was now one of his accusers.

“Clarice, you of all people should know I am not guilty of this! We’ve taken our daughters on outings together numerous times. Did you ever see anything that would make you join forces with Rebecca to punish me?”

“You really out to confess your sin, Max. God can’t forgive you if you don’t acknowledge what you have done,” Rebecca said.

“And if I don’t?”

“If you don’t, we all have knives. Show Max your knives everyone.” Rebecca, Clarice, and Mrs. Danvers displayed their weapons. “We will kill you right here.”

“If I confess I’ll go to prison. You’re not giving me any choice.”

“It’s more of a choice than you ever gave Daphne, Max. So what’s it going to be?”

“I cannot confess to something I’m not guilty of.”

“Max, just say the words and get it over with,” said Giles who had arrived late. The smell of alcohol on his breath filled the room. “Confession is such a simple statement to make, Max, and it’s good for the soul.”

“Mr. Winters, this is the classic case of damned if you do and damned if you don’t. You’re getting to chose how and when you die. Not many people get such an opportunity.”

“Mrs. Danvers, please be reasonable here. You’ve been in my home. You’ve taken care of Daphne. Did she ever even hint that I had hurt her?”

“Drop the act, Max, please. You were willing to stage a kidnapping so you could go on television and tell people how you don’t have any money for a ransom. You even rehearsed tearing up with a brave face. You thought people would send you money to get your little girl back. That’s you idea of a loving father?”

“Clarice, you’re twisting what I said. I was only thinking out loud. You know what I’ve been up against. Geez, Clarice! Help me out here. Don’t toss me an anchor and tell me to swim! I can’t. No one can.”

“So we’re back to the poor me’s, is that it, Max? You touched our daughter and filmed it. Your hands are dirty, Max. You’ve made our daughter dirty.”

“We tried to purify her with the fire, Mr. Winters, but some busybody call 9-1-1.”

“You? Mrs. Danvers? You set my house on fire?”

“I told her to, Max. While I’ve been away I’ve had nothing to occupy my time except writing letters. I wrote to our friends and neighbors and told them all about you and your filthy proclivities,” Rebeca announced with the pride of a master chess player. “It took a few tries, but as you see, they eventually came around.”

“I can’t believe this. I’m in an episode of the Twilight Zone! You’ve all gone mad.”

“Maxwell Winters, you stand accused of the worst kind of sinful behavior with your daughter. Will you confess your crimes and be forgiven by God and man? Or will you persist in your lies which serve only to increase the magnitude of your wrongdoing?” Giles asked as acting judge.

“I told you before. I cannot and will not confess to something I didn’t do.”

“You have left us no choice,” Giles replied. “Everyone raise your knives.”

Max woke to being pulled off his bed onto the floor. He looked at his finger tips to see if the ink was still on them. His fingers were clean. His relief led him to the mistaken impression he had been dreaming and was now awake. He opened his eyes and saw his cellmates standing over him. Metal glistened from their cocked fists.

“You lied, motherfucker. You messed with your little girl. That’s why you’re in here. Here’s how we clean scum outta our cell here.” All three of the men planted their weapons into Max’s chest and stomach at once. The only sound Max made was like the air being released from a yellow balloon that tried to pass itself off as the sun one day at a party.