I also remembered the week Laura and the children disappeared.
Rick told everyone they were visiting family.
When they returned, Laura wore sunglasses for four days despite the rain.
Mia kept speaking.
“He said if she ever leaves again, he’ll make sure no one finds her.”
I paused the video.
My kitchen felt too quiet.
Through the window, I could see the trimmed hedge separating our properties.
I had lived beside them for two years.
I had seen Laura collecting packages.
Watering flowers.
Walking Ben to the bus stop.
I had waved.
Complimented her children.
Asked whether she wanted extra tomatoes from my garden.
I had never asked why she flinched when Rick came outside.
I pressed play.
Mia held up a small black memory card.
“We started recording him after Christmas. He told Mom he could make her disappear because his company installs cameras for the police station and he knows which roads don’t have any.”
