Page 6 of Daddy Detectives: Episode 1
In the beginning, when I suggested we work together, he was afraid I’d get hurt. He’s a twenty-plus-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, and I have zero experience. I’d never even held a gun before Tyler took me to the shooting range for lessons.
I had to beg him to let me work with him. Reluctantly, he finally agreed. And after all that, how can I tell him I’ve changed my mind? How can I tell him I want to stay home with our babies?
Right now, I’m sitting at the kitchen table giving Lizzie her bottle, while Will hangs out on top of the table in his infant seat. He’s already had his bottle, so he’s content to lie there and stare at the ceiling light overhead.
Lizzie is halfway done with her breakfast when there’s a knock at the back door.
I automatically start to get up, but Tyler gestures for me to stay seated and says, “I’ll get it.”
He opens the door and steps aside as a very frazzled Kimi comes in. She pauses at the threshold, breathing heavily as she stands there wringing her hands. Her spiky purple hair is uncharacteristically flat and dull. She looks like she recently rolled out of bed.
“Kimi, what’s wrong?” Tyler asks, automatically switching to his cop voice. Instantly, his demeanor changes from relaxed to sharp and focused.
“I’m really sorry to bother you guys,” she says. Nervously, she runs the fingers of one hand through her hair.
“It’s no problem, Kimi,” I say. She doesn’t look good. She looks stressed, and if I had to guess, I’d say she didn’t get much sleep last night.
“I know you’re both still on leave,” she says, her eyes darting to the baby in my arms, “and you’re not taking any cases right now.” She pauses, looking from me to Tyler. “But—”
“What is it, Kimi?” I ask. Because something clearly is very wrong.
“I hate to even ask,” she continues. “I really do. And I wouldn’t if it weren’t so urgent.”
“Kimi,” Tyler says in his bossy voice. “Tell us what’s wrong.”
“It’s my roommate, Dina. She didn’t come home last night. I waited up for her, but she never showed. That’ssonot like her.”
“Did you try calling her?” Tyler asks.
Kimi nods. “I’ve been calling and texting since the wee hours, but she’s never replied.”
“Where was she last night?” Tyler asks, immediately jumping into investigative mode.
“She went out clubbing with her friend Teresa and Teresa’s boyfriend, Neil. I called Teresa first thing this morning and asked when she last saw Dina. She said it was around two-thirty, when Dina called for a rideshare at the club. Teresa said she and Neil watched her get into the car and drive off, but she never arrived home.” She looks from Tyler to me, her gaze beseeching. “It’s not like Dina to run off without telling anyone. Besides, she works today, and she never misses work. Something has to be wrong. I hate to ask—”
“It’s all right, Kimi,” Tyler says as he wipes his hands on a kitchen towel. “I’ll find her.”
“You will?” Her eyes light up. “Oh, Tyler, thank you.”
“You know the drill,” Tyler says. “Text me everything you can think of—a physical description of your roommate, a recent photo. Tell me what you know about where she went last night, her place of employment, and the names and numbers of her friends. I’ll need Teresa’s contact info and address.”
Kimi nods eagerly as she backs toward the door. “I’ll return to the office and gather the info for you.”
Tyler brings me a plate of scrambled eggs and two slices of buttered toast. He goes back for silverware and a jar of strawberry jam. He points his index finger at me. “You eat, while I go get dressed.”
“Aren’t you going to eat something before you go?” I ask as he walks toward the stairs.
Tyler shakes his head. Once he’s in work mode, he’s laser-focused, like a dog with a bone. “I’ll grab something later. Right now, every second counts.”
“Wait! I want to come up with you. Can you grab Will? I’ll bring Lizzie.”
Tyler frowns at me. “What about your breakfast? The food will get cold.”
“I’ll heat it up and eat it after you’ve gone. I promise.”
Tyler and I each carry a baby upstairs to our bedroom. He lays Will in his bassinette, and I lay Lizzie on the changing table. Now that they have full bellies, they’re ready for clean diapers and a nap.
Tyler heads for our bathroom so he can grab a quick shower and dress. By the time I’ve got Lizzie back in her bassinette and I’m changing Will, Tyler comes out of the bathroom wearing a white bath towel wrapped around his waist. He’s drying his hair with another towel. I watch him cross the room and disappear into our closet to dress.
