The Photograph- Pt 2
Part 2
Part 2 of The Photograph, a four part series originally shared on my podcast, the Bookcast by DL White.
I should close up my amateur investigation and mind my business…but somebody telling me to stop doing something was nothing but temptation to keep doing it.
The photograph haunted me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the dimly lit room, the slumped figure tied to the chair, and the dark stains that looked suspiciously like blood. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story behind Robin’s absent husband than I’d initially thought.
Over the next few days, I found myself increasingly preoccupied with the mystery. During my lunch breaks, I scoured the internet for any information I could find about Robin’s husband, Damon. There was no mention of his disappearance, no obvious investigation, no indication that he was missing. It was like he had just vanished from Robin’s life without a trace.
As I dug deeper, I discovered that what did exist was evidence that Damon had a criminal record. He’d been arrested several times for assault and battery, and there were rumors of his involvement in some nefarious dealings. The more I learned, the more curious I became about his absence from Robin and the children’s lives.
One evening, as Robin and I were finishing up a project at work, I couldn’t help but bring up the subject.
“I noticed you never really talk about your husband,” I said carefully, gauging her reaction.
Robin’s shoulders tensed, and she avoided my gaze. “There’s not much to talk about, Jada. He’s not a part of our lives anymore.”
“I mean… I see that,” I said, pressing. “But I’m… I know it’s none of my business, but —”
“That’s right,” she cut in. Then her expression softened and she added, “Honestly, I try not to dwell on it. He’s gone. We’ve moved on, and we’re doing just fine without him.”
I nodded, deciding to drop the subject for the time being. But still wildly curious. Was he just gone? Or… did something more sinister happen to him? And was it too painful for Robin to talk about, or was she not allowed to talk about it?
I left work that evening unable to shake the feeling that there was more to the story than Robin was letting on.
Over the next few weeks, I kept my investigation active but on the low. Okay, being real, I was nosy, even asking a few of Robin’s neighbors when, once again, I was babysitting her children. I wanted to piece together a clearer picture of her marriage. Most were reluctant to talk, but a few shared stories of a tumultuous relationship and a husband with a penchant for trouble. One woman, who’d lived next door to the couple for years, confided in me that she’d always suspected Damon was involved in some shady business.
“There were nights when I’d see strange men coming and going from their house,” she said. “I never knew what was going on, but it didn’t seem right.” The more I learned, the more my curiosity grew. I started to wonder if Damon’s absence was connected to criminal activities, and if Robin knew more than she was letting on.
That evening, I was helping Zuri clean up her room when I found a shoebox tucked into a back corner of her closet. It was full of old letters and cards. Most were innocuous, but one caught my eye. It was a cryptic note, signed simply “D.”
With trembling hands, I opened the note and read the message inside. “I’m sorry for everything. I hope one day you’ll understand.”
My heart raced as I read the words, my mind spinning with possibilities. Was this a message from Robin’s absent husband? And if so, what did it mean?
I drove home that night, still reeling from the discovery, my mind spinning with possibilities and explanations. My phone buzzed with an incoming text message. It was from an unknown number.
“Read that last message aloud,” I said, commanding my phone to read the text to me. The contents made my blood run cold.
“Stop digging into things that don’t concern you, or you will regret it.”
I stared at the road in front of me, my brain doing another revolution in the tornado that was my thoughts.
Who… sent that message? How did they know about my investigation? And how did they get my phone number?
I should be scared. I really should. I should close up my amateur investigation and mind my business…but somebody telling me to stop doing something was nothing but temptation to keep doing it. I was more determined than ever to uncover the truth. Maybe I needed to confront Robin again to get some answers. I was in too deep now— she wouldn’t be able to avoid telling me the whole truth this time.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. One way or another, I was going to get to the bottom of this mystery, even if it meant stepping into a world of secrets and danger.