Free Catching Her Bear by Vella Day

into his office that was stacked with mounds of papers despite the department trying to handle things electronically. Smythe slipped off his glasses and sat up straighter. “What did you find out?”
    “Not much other than the son was holding his mother with one arm and had a bloody knife in the other.”
    “Was he was the one who called it in?”
    “Yes.”
    “Is he looking good for it?” Phil’s voice came out strained.
    “My gut instinct says no. The man seemed to be in shock and a bit disoriented. We’ll know more once we receive the coroner’s report and the lab results from Brian’s clothes.”
    “Where’s the son now?”
    “He’s changing. When he’s finished, I’ll ask him more questions.”
    Smythe leaned back in his chair, the lines on his face etched around his eyes and mouth heavier than usual. The man wasn’t more than forty-five, but the job seemed to be taking a toll on him today. “They have a daughter—an Elana Stanley—who lives downtown.” Phil slipped him yet another piece of paper. “Here’s her address and number. Inform her about her parents’ death and find out where she was tonight.”
    “Will do.” Hearing her name had his gut clenching, but he saw no reason to mention that he knew her.
    With a heavy heart at having to break the news to Elana, Kalan headed to Interrogation Room number 2 carrying an old-fashioned pad of paper. There was something comforting to a witness if he saw that plain yellow-ruled paper instead of a more sterile electronic tablet.
    While he waited, Kalan jotted down some questions. A few minutes later, an officer escorted Brian into the room wearing the borrowed scrubs.
    “You want something to drink?” the officer asked Brian.
    “Water’s good.” Brian’s tone bordered on belligerence.
    “Have a seat, Brian. I know your sister Elana, and I have to say I’m confused.”
    He pressed his lips together and rocked. “She doesn’t know about me.”
    That answered one of his questions, though he found it difficult to reconcile, unless he was from another marriage. “Want to start from the beginning?”
    Brian shifted in his seat and tugged on the V-neck top. “You won’t believe me.”
    “Try me. If what you say is the truth, it should be easy to confirm.”
    He finally made eye contact. “Do I need a lawyer?”
    Kalan was wondering when he’d ask. “If you think you need one. Do you?”
    “I’m not sure.” He rubbed his wrist. From the tan mark, he was used to wearing a watch.
    Kalan checked his phone. “It’s seven-thirty, if that’s what you need to know.”
    “I need to take my meds soon.”
    Kalan made a note. “What kind of meds?”
    “They’re for my anxiety.”
    From the way Brian was having a hard time looking Kalan in the eye and shifting in his seat, he needed more than that. “Why doesn’t Elana know you exist?”
    The answer to this question was probably only important to him.
    “My parents sent me to a mental hospital right after she was born. They might not have told her about me. I don’t know.”
    Brian was right. This wasn’t looking good for him. “So she never visited?” Elana was such a caring soul. If she’d known about Brian, she would have.
    “No. When I spoke with my parents the other day, they said they wanted to visit me, but that my therapist thought my healing would be set back if they did.” He lowered his gaze. “Total bullshit. They just didn’t want me.”
    He made a note that Brian had a hard time directly answering questions. If what he claimed were true, why have another child? Kalan hoped Elana might be able to shed some light on the situation, assuming she knew of her brother’s existence. “You said you spoke with your parents before tonight?”
    If that were true, why didn’t he try to contact Elana as well? In retrospect, it was probably for the best. This man had some serious issues.
    He explained how he went up to their door two days ago and had to convince them that he was