***TRIGGER WARNING***
Los Angeles, CA
I pulled off the comforters of both beds and started changing the sheets with the plastic ones we brought in our luggage. I pput the motel bedclothes in the closet and started setting up the plastic ln the floor as well. Halfway through this, my partner walks through the door, chinese takeout in tow.
"A little early to start setting up, isn't it?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.
"The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can disappear. I don't like that detective," I explain, taking my designated carton of carbs.
"All right, the professor's at work right now, we can intercept him on his way home." He answers and we sit on the plastic covered beds and eat our food in silence.
Thaddeus Hodge was just getting off work. The college campus was only a few blocks away from the local elementary school, and he was planning on going there after work. He starts walking towards the other campus, and dials up his wife's number.
"Hey hun," she answered. In her mind, it was not unusual to get a call from him mid day, he preferred morning classes and that was all he had this semester.
"El, I'm going to be working late today, just thought I'd let you know. I should get home around four or five," Thaddeus responded, quick to the point. "Tell the girls I say hi when they get home."
"Will do," she answers. And then, almost as an afterthought, she adds, "I love you."
"I love you, too," Thaddeus lied. They were having problems in their marriage, the counselor had told them to remind them of each other's feelings more often in order to rekindle the relationship. But for Thaddeus, he didn't have any romantic feelings towards Eleanor anymore. She was getting to old for him. The only reason he was staying with her was for their children, the access was so easy and if they were to divorce, it would mean a risk of Eleanor getting custody and he would have to look elsewhere. He already had arrangements made in case that were to happen, but it was risky, and the girls at the house were safe. If only he were more careful with the drugs he used on his wife, they wouldn't be having problems. But she had to sleep through it all, or he'd definitely have to look elsewhere.
"I've got to go, I'll talk to you soon," he quickly told her.
"See you when you get home," Eleanor responded. There was a faint click and a dial tone.
He was almost there. He was giddy with the excitement of seeing the little bouncing ponytails running through the playground. And then he heard tires screech on the pavement, a rough black hood covered his face and his hands were tied quickly with a rope as he was pulled into the cab of a truck.