Mystery: Missing Rita: (Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Suspense Thriller Mystery) by James Kipling Page A

attention as he sat on the living room sofa late that night. He’d had no sleep and was trying to find something to watch; he threw a glance at the wall clock and wondered who it could be at that time of the night. He got to his feet and walked over to the front door. He peeped through the peephole and wondered whether she had heard his footsteps walk to the door to see who it was.
    “Ryan,” she called out from the other side. “I know you’re there!”
    Ryan now knew he had to open the door and he reluctantly fumbled with the chains and locks of his front door. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed her until his eyes landed on her ever-gorgeous, angelic body.
    “Hello, Yvonne,” he said and locked her gaze with his.
    “Ryan.”
    He then stepped aside and ushered her into his apartment. He watched as she walked past him and caught a whiff of her familiar scent. His eyes followed her as she walked into the room and sat on the living room sofa. He locked the door behind him and walked over to where she was.
    “Can I get you anything?” he asked her politely.
    “Yes, anything to calm my nerves.”
    “O.k.”
    Ryan walked out of the living room and returned momentarily with two glasses of whisky in his hands. He handed her one and took a long sip of his before having a seat next to her.
    They sat in an awkward silence, both staring at the television set but neither really watching what was on it.
    “How are you holding up?”
    “Best way I know how,” Ryan answered and took a sip from his glass again.
    “You have lost weight.”
    “Don’t be dramatic, Yvonne. You have not seen me for only two weeks.”
    “My point exactly – you have lost a noticeable amount of weight in only two weeks,” she answered.
    Ryan had no words for her and went on to sip his whisky. He was too proud to admit to himself that he loved the fact that she was there.
    “Ryan.”
    “Yes, Yvonne.”
    “I hope this does not come off as selfish in any way but…” Yvonne hesitated before continuing. “Tell me how to be there for you in this situation.”
    She paused to wait for his reaction and then kept going when she instead received a blank stare.
    “You are grieving for another woman who you shared a life with and I do not know how to comfort you.”
    Ryan noticed the discomfort and possible uncomfortable position that Yvonne was in and felt an ounce of guilt. He knew she loved her so much but couldn’t possibly understand what he was going through.
    “This is what will happen,” he answered and took Yvonne’s hand in his. “You will have to learn how to listen to me during this time.”
    “Finally found a way to nip my headstrong and stubborn attitude?” Yvonne asked back.
    “I should thank Rita for that,” he chuckled slightly before resuming his serious tone. “There will be times when I will really want you to let me be by myself and you will have to respect that.”
    “O.k.”
    Yvonne threw a glance at her feet before placing a hand on Ryan’s thigh.
    “So how can I help you today?”
    Ryan did not answer her; he simply let his head rest on her chest before letting out soft sobs and crying his heart out. His body slowly succumbed to the different convulsions that were overwhelming his body and leaned into the grief. He took solace in the soft beating of her heart audible in her chest and finally succumbed to a deep slumber.
     
    *****
     
    Sam was parked at his apartment building and looked up at the fourth floor. His lights were out and he wondered whether to leave his car or not. He had not gotten any other text message from him and hoped he had gotten tired of waiting and opted to leave. He popped more tablets into his mouth and slowly opened the car door. His foot touched the ground and a sudden fear slowly overcame him. The place was quiet and deserted as it always was at this time of night. He had left Ryan Sutter’s residence and reported back to the station where he had buried himself in his work. He