Writing and Photography by Jeff E. Brown

“There’s people I could’ve hired to do this.
I usually do hire out. I’m big on building the local workforce. Spend local, and all that. But when it comes to something like this, it seems a shame not to add a personal touch.”
“You dated my daughter, if we can call it that, for six months. She wouldn’t say much, but I presumed she liked you and things were going well. I don’t like to pry.”
“But now, Eli, I’m at the point that I have to pry. You know why. We all know why. Pia has been gone for three days-total silence-which for a woman who communicated non-stop with her friends and family means it’s a bad, bad situation. And you, Eli, were once involved in a bad situation.”
“I get it. Youthful indiscretion is the argument you’ll make. It might very well be true. Peer pressure or a dose gone wrong, but nevertheless, a prior history.”
“My two helpers here-really the extensions of my anger and frustration-are going to work you over for a bit to see what shakes loose. I may stay. I may walk outside for a break to see if my more legal methods are bearing fruit, but regardless you will tell me every detail regarding your last week with my Pia.”
“No guarantees on your physical state at the end of this, but I’m sure you can imagine the boiling rage and frustration my wife and I have right now. Pretty primal stuff. Be sure to speak loudly when they pull down the gag.”

© 2022 Jeff E. Brown. All rights reserved.