“Hello?” I say as I enter with the key Vinnie gave me, not wanting to startle her if she’s here, or Cecilia, for that matter. “Anyone home?”
The only thing that greets me is silence.
Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I close the door behind me and go straight to Vinnie’s room.
“Vincenza?”
But the room is dark. Turning the light on, as I push the door open further I see various boxes scattered throughout the space, all filled to the brim with her things. The only hint of her she’s left behind is the bare furniture and her scent lingering in the air.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I call her again.
This time, when it rings, the sound fills the room. My brows furrow as I look around, and I find her phone on the dresser by the door. Ending my call, her screen illuminates with dozens of missed calls and text messages as I pick it up and begin to scroll.
Fear strikes me then, as messages from her assistant grow more concerned by her not arriving to work, wondering if she forgot about her meeting, and if she’s okay.
There’s an unread message from Raina, which I don’t read, and all of my missed calls.
Continuing to look through my wife’s missed messages for any indication of where she may be, I use my phone to get her brother back on the line.
“I’m almost at your place,” Luciano barks, answering my call.
“I’m not there. I’m at Vincenza’s apartment.”
“Is she there?”
“No, but her phone is.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“What time did you say you spoke with her?”
Wandering into her bathroom, I look around for—well, anything.
“It was probably around a quarter to one or so.”
“Was she still at home?”
“She didn’t say. What are you thinking? Say what’s on your mind.”
“Something doesn’t feel right,” I tell him as my eyes scan every inch of the space, wishing the writing would be on the wall.
But it's not.
“I can’t put my finger on it, Luciano. But something is very wrong. This isn’t like her.”
I’m about to leave the room when my gaze catches on the trash can. More specifically, it catches on a white and blue stick sitting on top. All at once, my entire world comes toppling down around me. I vaguely hear Luciano speaking, but his words don’t register as more than gargled tones. My vision fills with darkness as the room spins, and an overwhelming sense of terror sends a shock wave through my bloodstream, freezing the warmth inside me.
Bending, I pick up the plastic and stare at it.
“We need to find her,” I tell Luciano, my voice low and unsteady. I then realize I’m shaking. “We need to find her immediately.”
“We will?—”
“No, we need to find her now. Get your father on the phone, the polizia. I don’t care who you call, but we need to find my wife,now.”
“I’ll call him. Come back to your place, alright? I’ll have an update when you’re back.”
