We returned to the car.
"Why did we leave just like that?" I asked. "There is definitely something strange in that house."
"I know, that is more the reason to leave now. I can't put Cameron or you in danger." she said. I went into the kitchen and like always there was a strong smell of Pine Sol. I never thought anything of it since many people use the product to clean. I always just thought that she cleaned a lot. But since you noticed the tiles, I specifically looked under the table and I saw the loose tiles. I picked one up and I smelled the stench and saw stairs leading to a basement, I am guessing."
"That is more the reason to go back in and check it out some more," I said.
"No, the proper procedure now is to go back, inform my supervisor of my suspicions and ask the judge to grant a search warrant so that the police can properly seize any evidence needed to prove a case," she outlined.
So that is exactly what she did.
Within two days, the search warrant was granted. She came home that night really late after the police raided the house. The girls were already in bed, and I sat on the couch waiting-up for her. She came in and sat down on the couch next to me. Stretched and then sighed.
"So, how was your day?" I asked.
"Well today was the day of the search of Mrs. Johnson's house," she said.
"By that tone, I am guessing that they really did find something." I speculated.
"Yes, but not what I thought it was," she said.
"Huh, so she was not abusing Cameron?" I asked.
"On the contrary, she really was a great foster parent to Cameron. The doctor checked him out and there were no other issues with him except that scratch on his arm. And probably he really did scratch his arm on the credenza. The police found a bit of blood on the corner, and they assume that is where Cameron cut himself," she stated.
"Okay, now I am curious. What did they find?" I asked.
She subconsciously started petting me.
"Well, you would never guess. You were right, there was a basement area and there was fecal matter and blood in the basement," she stated.
"And? Stop being so cryptic and just tell me already," I demanded.
She chuckled and then with a pause for dramatic effect said, "We found dogs."
"What? Dogs?" I asked.
"Yes. After the police told her what charges they were going to put on her, she confessed that she was keeping the dogs there for her cousin, who ran an illegal dog fighting ring. The blood was from the dogs, who were hurt fighting. She would care for them until they were taken to the ring again. They were muzzled and sedated most times, so we never heard any of them bark. The Pine Sol smell was to cover the chlorine that was used to clean up the blood and feces." she said, exhausted.
"Wow, that was a turn that I did not expect," I told her.
"Yeah, none of us expected to find that in the basement," she said. "The sad part is that Cameron will now need to be placed in a new foster home and start all over."
She rubbed her eyes in exhaustion and yawned.
"You are tired, why don't you take a shower and go to bed," I suggested.
"No, I am tired but at the same time too wired to sleep," she said as she got up and walked to the kitchen.
She came back with a couple bottles of sake and two bowls.
"Join me?" she asked as she poured herself a bowl, took a big gulp and poured another one.
I nodded and she poured a bit into the bowl for me. I lapped at it and it felt so smooth going down. I looked up and she was already pouring herself a third bowl.
"Hey, slow down. You are going to be drunk if you keep drinking at that speed. You know that you are a lightweight," I warned.
"What does it matter? I am already home. If I am drunk, I just sleep. Haha," she mused.
I just watched her as she drank. At that moment, I wanted to hold her, but all I could do was place a paw on her lap.
She smiled at me and then took another gulp of sake. "You know you never did answer me. The question that I asked you in the tunnel that day. Why did you take them?"
"I did answer that," I said.
"No, not that excuse, excuse that you gave me about them transforming," she sputtered.
"What do you want me to say, Alaina?" I asked.
"Tell me the real reason?" she demanded.
I thought for a while. "I guess I was really hurt when you decided on your own that you wanted a divorce. Not even giving me a chance to make it right."
Suddenly, anger boiled to the top and I was screaming at her. "How dare you? Not only did you decide on your own to leave me, but you were taking the girls. You were taking everything that I have. Every reason for living all those years. It broke my heart. I felt that I never really knew you. I was so distraught that I didn't even have it in me to fight you, "I sighed.
"So, when an opportunity presented itself, I told myself I was doing it for the girls. I took back a bit of my life and I felt alive again," I told her. "Even though, I always knew it was my fault for us turning out the way we did. I was still unreasonably mad at you for deciding to leave."
"You know. I knew," she said.
"You knew why I took the girls?" I asked.
"No, I knew you could transform and that the girls could probably do so as well," she stated.
"How?" I asked dumbfounded.
"Well, one night when we were dating, you got drunk and cat ears and a tail popped out. Hell, I was scared, and I wanted to confront you right then and there, but you were too far gone to be awakened. Hell, then I wanted to run too.
"Why didn't you?" I asked.
"I was also metaphorically, too far gone to be awakened. I loved you too much that I couldn't imagine life without you. I figured you would tell me about it all when you were ready. So, I waited," she stated. "I thought for sure by the time you proposed that you would tell me, but you didn't. Then I thought before the wedding, you would say something. But again, you didn't. Then I got pregnant, I was so stressed. Not knowing if the child would be born a human or a cat but still you didn't say anything. So, I kept waiting and waiting. I got tired of waiting and I thought asking for a divorce would force you to finally tell me the truth. Nope, that didn't work either," she sighed. "I gave you so many chances."
"Oh my." I was stunned. I sat there not knowing what to say then I noticed that she had gotten quiet.
She had fallen asleep. I covered her with the throw that was on the couch. Then I just sat there processing all that new information. Then after a while I whispered, "She knew, and she didn't leave me. How stupid I have been."