Castleton

  Thursday

  11:34 a.m.

  Mackey Residence

  "Hey, James. You called just in time. I was just about to lay Jamie down for his nap," Madison gushes, holding the phone between her right cheek and shoulder.

  Madison moves to the other side of the room. She lowers Jamie into his bassinet while keeping her phone balanced in place. The infant kicks his feet several times before grunting softly, both eyelids fluttering shut. Madison looks down at her newborn son with a faint smile, stroking his clothed torso from neck to tiny navel.

  "I think he heard his Daddy's voice. He's already asleep. I keep telling everyone...Jamie's such a good baby. It's not how I envisioned motherhood at all. It almost seems too easy."

  "You make it look easy, Madison," James says on the other line. "Because you're such a good mother. I wish I could be there more, Maddie. Maybe...I should take some time off? A few days here and there. I can take care of you...And the dirty diapers. Like Dave...I've got a buttload of vacation saved up. It'll be an adventure."

  "That sounds real nice," Madison coos, cradling the phone next to her face. "But...I know how much you love your job, James. I wouldn't want you to do anything which could jeopardize your position with the department."

  "You're my wife, Madison. And besides, Chief O'Leary's been dropping hints for literally a couple of weeks. Nothing really big is going on with the department right now. Nothing a few days off here and there will upend. I can still work from home if necessary. And they know where to find me. I've said it a million times...And I'll say it a million more. I love you, Madison. Jamie is my son too. I love you both to pieces."

  Silence greets James on the other end of the line. He strains to hear what is going on, catching only tiny snatches of sound.

  "Madison? Madison, are you still there?"

  "I'm still here, James," Madison finally says, her voice choked with emotion and tears. "I heard you, James."

  "Are you okay, Maddie?" James asks, uncertainty creeping into his heart. "Are you feeling okay?"

  "I...I don't," Madison falters. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, James. I've...I've gotta get off the phone, okay? I'm sorry."

  "What? Maddie, wait," James starts to say.

  James is cut off when Madison ends the call. The last sound being her jerky sobs. The detective reclines back in his chair and stares at the phone in his hand with a solemn expression. He props one foot up against the leg of his desk.

  "What I did to deserve you?" James repeats to himself. "Is that how Madison really sees our relationship? After all of this time?"

  Fifteen minutes later, James is still musing about the situation, as he takes his midday stroll to Freddo's food truck. He considers making a quick trip home to soothe his grieving wife. However, now may not be the best time. Space, and some time to think, may be just what Madison needs at the moment. Jamie's birth seems to be taking a huge toll on her self esteem. Just as Octavia had hinted it might. It would be best not to smother Madison. She needs time to process everything that is going on. Tonight, he will try to make it all better.

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  Castleton

  7-11 convenience store

  12th and Elmer Ln

  Evening--Prior to sunset

  James exits the gas station with a bedraggled expression, his shoulders slightly slumped. In the detective's mind, things couldn't possibly be any worse. As if being forced to buy stale, watered down hazelnut coffee wasn't bad enough? He also managed to purchase a cup of coffee he has absolutely no use for. Out of habit, Detective Mackey's cardboard cupholder contains a steaming cup of black coffee for Deputy Newsome as well.

  Around this time, he and Dave would usually be shooting the breeze with ole Freddo. However, the friendly proprietor had closed up shop early for a dental appointment. With Dave and Octavia out of town for a few days, things are sure to get a little boring. But there's always Maddie and James Junior. His bright rays of sunshine, in a sea of gray clouds.

  Detective Mackey places the drink holder containing his coffee and Deputy Newsome's on the hood of his Crown Victoria. Two women wearing rollerblades zip by the detective as he reaches into his left trenchcoat pocket. James offers the young women a quick glance, searching within the folds of his coat for the car keys. The detective's mind drifts to Madison. He contemplates the manner in which she usually slips both hands into his coat pockets; as she stands on tiptoe and kisses him goodbye.

  One of the skating youngsters whistles loudly over her right shoulder. Her loud whistle jogs Detective Mackey from his daydreaming. Turning and skating backwards, the young skater whistles a second time. She slows her locomotion to about one-tenth her previous speed.

  "Not bad!" the young woman hollers to be heard. "You got a phone number, Mr. Good Looking?"

  "I sure do!" James calmly states. "But I think it's well past your bedtime, young lady. You've got school in the morning."

  The second skater comes to a complete stop. She points at her embarrassed friend, issuing a raucous laugh.

  "Shut up, Cassie!" the shamed young woman shouts, tossing her long red hair over one shoulder. "Anyway...I'm nineteen. I'm not in school anymore, Mister. I didn't know it was a crime to tell a guy he was hot. Don't worry. I won't make that mistake again. Such a loser."

  Surging off in a huff, redhead skates angrily away. Cassie manages a weak smile, offering Detective Mackey a friendly wave. She shrugs both shoulders and nods toward the direction her redheaded friend rolled off to.

  "Don't mind Janice. She's got a little bit of a filter problem. She's right though. You are pretty hot. Bye."

  Cassie skates off to be with her friend, who is by now several blocks away. James is left staring at their retreating backs. They think he's pretty hot, huh? Well, that's good to know. He'll have to thoroughly rub this incident in Madison's face. Well, maybe not tonight.

  Retrieving the Crown Vic's keys from deep within his coat pocket, James opens the driver's side door. He sticks the tip of one key into his mouth and clamps down on it with his front teeth. Grabbing the drink holder from the car's roof, James leans inside the car. He places each coffee cup in their designated spot within the console and tosses the empty drink holder in the back seat. His car radio chirps just as he secures what would've been Dave's cup of piping hot coffee.

  "All units in the vicinity of 12th and Holman. Unit 251 requests Code 10-18 to 12th and Holman. Possible Code 90 or 10-73 in progress."

  Detective Mackey glances up at the street sign less than a block from him. He nods and peers down at his full cup of hot hazelnut coffee.

  "Well, well. Looks like we've got some work to do."

  Climbing behind the wheel, James inserts the vehicle's key into the ignition and starts it up. With a sweeping motion of his left hand, Mackey secures his emergency beacon to the car's roof. A moment later, the Crown Vic is in motion. Cassie waves a second time as the otherwise unmarked police car overtakes and passes them. Janice simply rolls her eyes.