Mueller Mobile Home Park

  Sometime later- After Gabrielle's visit

  Mackey Residence

  Madison finishes drying the last clean plate and slides it into a cabinet above her head to the right. Shutting the wooden door of the cabinet, Madison breathes a satisfied sigh of relief.

  "Done. Now...Laundry. And then, nursing time for Lil Jamie."

  A loud knock on the door draws Madison's attention away from her musing. Her brow creases and she rolls her eyes.

  "What now?" Madison mumbles. "A package? I'm not expecting anything today."

  Madison repeats her previous routine, scooping Jamie up out of his bassinet and taking him along with her to answer the front door. This time, she is prepared. Sliding Jamie into his sling, Madison makes sure he is secure before heading into the living room. The infant is more awake this time, his tiny eyes squint as he looks up at his mother's face. The smallest of whimpers exits the newborn's throat.

  "Oh no," Madison thinks. "Feeding time will come early. Curse whoever knocked on that damned door and spoiled her well planned routine."

  With a weary sigh, Madison trudges towards the living room. She peeks through the peephole a second time. Only this time, her response to who is on the other side of the door is unmistakeably less pleasant. Angrily unlocking the front door, Madison practically yanks it open.

  "What the hell do you want here, Deputy Chastain!?!" Madison hollers, pure anger in her voice. "You have a lot of nerve showing up at this door!"

  "Madison! Look, I'm sorry!" Morris pleads in a soft voice. "Can I please come in? I really need to talk to you! Please."

  Titus chooses this time to wander back onto the porch. He sniffs Deputy Chastain's right foot before squeezing between Madison's left leg and the doorframe, going straight for his water and food bowls in the kitchen. Madison briefly follows Titus' awkward departure with her eyes. However, she quickly snaps her head back around, staring at Morris with narrowed eyes.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "How could you even think that my husband is guilty, Morris? You said...You were one of the very people who told me...I can't believe you, Morris."

  "I know. And I'm sorry, Madison. It's just that... There's a bunch of evidence, Maddie. And it doesn't look too good for Mack. I'm just going along with procedure. I'm doing my job, Madison. I can't assume anything."

  "Ha. That's funny," Madison sardonically laughs. "You can't assume anything...In regards to my husband's innocence. But you're perfectly fine assuming he's guilty. Real nice. Just...Get the hell off of my porch, Deputy Chastain. Go. Now!"

  "No, Madison," Morris says, reaching out and gripping the handle of the porch screen.

  Deputy Chastain opens the screen and takes a step closer. Madison's eyes widen and she takes a step back. Morris takes note of her shocked reaction, dialing down his emotions just a tab. This is a woman who has been through a lot, including nearly being killed by the unwitting accomplice of a sadistic murderer. Frightening her won't help.

  "Look, I apologize. I...I know I should have more faith in James. But like I said, someone saw him with Officer Melbourne before she was killed. And there are witnesses who also saw him with Evelyn in the alley. We're waiting to review the footage, but right now the case against James looks pretty damning. Why did he answer that call, Madison? He was off duty. Who even made the damn call? The phone number the call came from is one of those nearly untraceable numbers. It's gonna take the department a long time to piece everything together. His story...It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It sounds too much like a convenient cover for an inconvenient murder. We're not sure how Evelyn fits into all of this, but we're working on it. There's a theory that blackmail was involved. I don't wanna believe any of this, Madison. But I've seen better men than Mackey crack under pressure. Officers, judges, even mayors. We're all human, Madison. It can happen to anyone."

  "Wow!" Madison almost shrieks. "I can't believe what I'm hearing. What is with everyone today? I love James. That's all that matters. I promised him...I would stick with him...For better and for worse. Now...If you don't mind, Deputy Chastain. Go to hell!"

  "Madison!"

  Deputy Chastain finds himself talking to a wooden door as Madison slams the door in his face. He pounds on the door twice with a closed fist.

  "Madison! Madison, come on. Madison? Okay, I'm sorry. I...I love you, Madison. I care about you. I just...I came here to tell you that. I'd never want to make you feel pain. I'd never want you to hate me. I'm sorry. Uh...Well...Bye, Madison. I really do hope everything works out. For your sake. Bye."

  With a defeated sigh, Deputy Chastain closes the porch screen and turns away from the front door of the Mackey house. He sighs a second time as he descends the porch steps. Climbing into his Sheriff's vehicle, Morris slowly backs down the driveway.

  Inside the house, Madison rushes to the front window. There is a confused expression on the young mother's countenance as she watches Deputy Chastain drive slowly away. Stroking Jamie Junior's soft hair, Madison goes over Morris' words in her head.

  "Did he say he loves me?" Madison whispers. "What?"