Cherish County, The Pierson Residence
"Can I help you?"
Evan had gotten used to random guests at all hours of the night. First it was the detectives, and then it was family, and then everyone wanted to help and give their condolences. But soon enough, people quit coming, Evan found that given enough time, nobody really cared about whether one of your children went missing or not. They just wanted to play a part in your story.
Emily pressed her badge against the exterior screen door for Evan to get a good hard look.
"Mr. Pierson, I'm detective June with the Cherish County 2nd precinct. I'm assisting in your daughter's case… if I could come in and have a moment of your-"
Evan swung the door open and stepped onto the porch.
"Have you found her? Have you found my Hiedi?"
June took a step back, heartbreak welling in her throat. This was always hard for her to do. "No, Mr. Pierson we haven't found her, but we have made a development in the case... May I come inside?"
Evan let out a sigh and stepped aside, allowing the detective to enter.
Emily took a mental note of the entrance hall. The house smelled of old cedar and remnants of something sugary and full of mustiness, most likely fruity cereal. A hint of bitter hung in the air; June recognized the source from her experiences at the precinct.
'Over-used coffee grounds.'
Evan had dark rings under his eyes. He seemed to be a man of long hours and short nights. Entering the living room was harder for the detective than one would have thought. The mantle over the Pierson fireplace was adorned in photos and newspaper clipping of Heidi. Inappropriate dollar store cards spackled the area. Some reading non-sensible things like "Get Well Soon" and "Sorry for you loss."
Emily found herself staring longer than she would have liked, until Mr. Pierson's voice broke her out of her empathetic trance.
"Funny, isn't it? They think they can just give you a card, and it will make everything better. A templated message that has nothing to do with the tragedy we're going through."
June nodded, "It's to make themselves feel better."
Evan agreed with the detective. "They just need to be a part of the small-town story. Included."
The Detective walked closer to the mantle, examining a professional photo of Hiedi and a young man taken at what appeared to be a school function. The backdrop banner read 'Cherish JH Spring Fling,' she wore a purple dress, and her make-up looked as though it was done by a much more mature hand. The boy next to her was very handsome, wearing a black set of slacks and shirt, and a deep red Windsor knot.
"Maybe they don't know what to do. Maybe they feel as helpless as their neighbor."
Evan paused a moment and considered June's statement. June picked up the framed photo. "This picture is adorable, is that her boyfriend?"
Evan shook his head and chuckled, "No, I'm almost positive Hiedi likes women. It was never said, but the way she adored Alyssa…"
Evan realized he said adore in the past tense and frowned.
"No, that boy is Tanner Clarey. One of Hiedi's friends."
Emily raised her eyebrow, "Clarey? Any relation to Sissy Clarey?"
Mr. Peirson shrugged, "Never heard of Sissy Clarey, maybe his dad's relation? I've only ever met his mother, Debra."
June pulled out her phone, selected the camera and gestured an ask of permission to take a photo of the picture, to which Evan nodded.
"So, his father isn't around then?"
"Oh, no, he is. Debra tells me that Joel works out of town a lot."
'Joel and Tanner Clarey…'
June shook herself out of the investigative string of thought, sitting down on the couch, finally prepared to fill Mr. Pierson in on the events of the investigation. But before she could begin, Evan cut her off.
"Can I get you a cup of coffee, Detective June?"
A cup she graciously accepted for two reasons, one, she was exhausted. A cup of overworked coffee grounds wouldn't do too much in the way of revitalizing the detective, but it might give her just enough placebo from the familiar flavor to get through the long night ahead.
More importantly however, and for two, she could accept an additional moment to compose herself before she told this man about where his daughter truly went.
Evan walked off toward the kitchen and the shuffling began. June listened as the faucets were turned into their on positions, cupboards were opened and shut.
Doors were knocked.
'a knock at the door?'
June listened as Mr. Pierson turned off the faucet and walked to the entrance way.
The voices were muffled, but by pitch alone, Emily could gather that it was a woman speaking.
She sounded rushed in her tone, almost... worried.
Evan's voice became more stressed, frantic, almost as if he was begging for something.
June slid further down the couch and leaned her head toward the hall, listening more intently.
And that's when the screaming started.
Jumping to her feet, Emily drew her Glock and proceeded into the entrance way, Mr. Pierson had buckled. Sitting slumped on his knees holding something, wailing uncontrollably.
Glancing over his shoulder, she saw the print-out. She didn't need to read the entire chat log to understand that it was Alyssa and Hunter speaking about Hiedi.
June stepped over Evan and peered into the darkness, watching as Mrs. Morris turned left and walked the sidewalk before she disappeared out from under the streetlights.
'Well, aren't you just a helpful little bitch.'
Evan screeched as he held the photo to his heart, as if it was Hiedi herself. June knew there was no way to calm him down.
'I should have told him when I had the chance.'