Caitlin decided to stay home from school the next day. Her dad said it would make him feel better. So she did it, but just for today because it would give him some peace of mind. She didn't really understand it, but if it made him feel better, why not?
She was bored just lounging around watching tv and thinking about what happened. She had returned to her notepad three times to add things she'd previously forgotten by the time her dad finally came shuffling in from work. He slid his boots off and hung his keys on a hook in the kitchen.
"Hey honeybun, how was your day?" He asked giving her a hug.
"It was okay I guess, boring mostly," she answered moving to the kitchen.
"You finish writing that statement?" He asked with a grim expression, as he searched the fridge for any leftovers.
"Yeah it's in my room, do you want to see it?" She asked already starting in the direction of her room.
"No...no that's fine, a cop will be by in about an hour to pick it up," he huffed out closing the fridge empty handed.
"Oh okay, am I gonna have to talk to them or just give them what I've written?"
"I really don't know you'll just have to wait and see," he said only half paying attention, since he was now carousing the pantry looking for something to eat. However he soon closed the door with nothing to show for his efforts.
"I'm going to jump in the shower before they get here," he said looking defeated.
"Okay, I'll make us a couple sandwiches." He perked up slightly at the good news.
"That is an awesome idea, thanks," he said before turning and walking towards his bedroom. She watched him noticing how slumped his shoulders were, all this was really getting to him.
Caitlin went back to her notepad and read through it again, making sure it didn't trigger anything new. She was fairly sure she'd written it all down, so she went to the dining room and left it on the table, before returning to the kitchen to make their sandwiches.
They'd not long finished eating when the doorbell rang. Her father answered it and she the low mumble of male voices. She got a little nervous as they increased in volume, informing her they were approaching the living room. She'd never had to talk to the police before.
"Caitlin, this is detective Baron, you're sure you're done with that statement?" He asked with a raise of his eyebrow.
"Detective? I thought it was just gonna be a regular cop?" She responded, completely thrown off.
"It would've been, but with the girl missing I got called in to see you instead," he responded grimly.
"Oh okay," she nodded her head in understanding before climbing out of the recliner.
"I'll go get it, it's just in the dining room," she left the living room to retrieve her papers. They unexpectedly followed her to the next room and Caitlin handed them over.
"Is that all?" She asked looking back and forth between her dad and the detective.
"Yeah you can-" her dad started to responded.
"Actually," the detective interrupted, "I'd like to talk about it for a minute if that's okay?"
"Umm...yeah...I-I guess," she stuttered a little unsure of herself.
"Just you and me if your comfortable with that?" He asked looking first to her and then to her dad for permission.
"Okay," she nodded sitting down at the kitchen table.
"I'll just be in the kitchen if you need me cocabean," her dad said before leaving.
"Okay dad."
Caitlin reiterated her story several times to the detective. As she did, he took notes and read and reread her statement, while writing more notes in the margins. After about an hour and a half he finally stood up.
"Okay, that's it," he said standing up, "Thank you for talking to me, you have no idea how helpful it was."
"You're right, I don't but glad to help if I did."
"Of course you did, you're a very smart, and brave girl. Thank you."
"You're welcome," with that she called her dad in and the detective headed for the door. After closing the door behind him her dad wrapped his arm around her and sighed.
"Well, thank God that's over."
"Agreed," she smiled up at him in relief.
"Maybe now we can get back to a little more normal," he said pulling away to run his hand through his hair.
"Yeah, I hope so. I really hope they find that girl," she said, with a worried look in her eyes.
"Me too, me too. Whatever happens, just know you did everything you could. Now, how about we go watch comedies in the living room and eat some ice cream."
"That sounds like an awesome idea," she responded eagerly heading for the kitchen.