The Falls City Five

by Sarah Markel

  “Vandalized the house? Vandalized how?” Max asked, pulling Dani behind her as if to shield her from the police.

  Cordy stepped aside and motioned toward the front of the two-story house. Positioned under the large bay window that encompassed the front of the living room, was a large piece of plywood that had been spray painted with a note.

  Sin lives within these walls. A mother should never touch her child, it is a sin against God.

  Neighbors were gathered along the street, many conversing behind the cover of their hands. Max lowered her voice and Dani moved from behind the woman, to stand beside her as they addressed the Lieutenant.

  “When did this happen?” Max asked, her voice low so only Cordy could hear her.

  “Sometime around three this morning,” Cordy replied, “Young and Harrison said they were changing shifts and didn’t see the person sneak up the driveway. They noticed the sign after the sun came up and called Frost. She called it in to us.”

  “What does the camera show?” Dani asked, “anything we can use to identify the suspect?”

  Cordy shook her head. “The person was covered from head to toe. We can’t even tell if it’s a man or a woman. They came up the walk, put the sign under the window, and ran off.”

  “I don’t think our cover was blown,” Max said, “Whoever did this obviously thinks Dani and I are sleeping together. We’ve never shown any untoward affection to each other, outside of my bedroom. Whoever did this is running on assumption, and I’m sure we can make a big enough stink about it to make the rest of the town thinks someone is targeting us for some other reason.”

  “How do you want to spin it,” Cordy asked curiously, “A claim like this isn’t going to go over well in this town.”

  “We need to look a little closer at Lilah Fisk,” Dani said, “she saw a bruise on my chest and assumed Max was abusing me.”

  Cordy nodded and wrote herself a note. “Who else might have reason to think something torrid is going on with you two?”

  “I don’t know,” Max replied with a shake of her head, “but we need to find out, before this gets out of hand. We need to find those girls, too. If the abductor thinks the FBI is closing in, we may end up finding bodies instead of living teens.”

  Cordy motioned to a uniformed officer. “Glove up and tag this as evidence. I want it taken directly to the lab, not the evidence room. Tell them Weston wants a full analysis, ASAP.”

  The young man nodded and made haste. Cordy beckoned the Agents toward her car and pulled several forms from a clip board.

  “Those are your statements,” she explained, “just sign them with your UC names. Frost faxed them over a little while ago,” she added at the curious look the couple shared.

  Dani and Max scrawled their assumed names across the bottom of the forms and accepted the copies Cordy handed them. “Young and Harrison said to tell you they are analyzing the video feeds, in case they missed something. They’ll call you later with the results.”

  Max and Dani thanked the Lieutenant and went inside. They methodically cleared each of the rooms, to be certain no one had been inside. When they finished, the women joined each other on the couch to work out a game plan.

  “Who do you think it was?” Dani asked.

  “I don’t know, but maybe we got lucky and whomever took those girls is targeting us,” Max replied.

  “I do fit the profile of the other missing girls,” Dani supplied thoughtfully, “maybe I should up my game a little. See if we can flush him out.”

  Max stiffened slightly. “That might work, honey, but it doesn’t explain why the person would think there is something going on between us. The only time we are affectionate is when we are alone upstairs. Unless the person was in the club last night, or on our floor at the hotel, they would have no reason to suspect anything.”

  “Maybe it was Lilah Fisk,” Dani said, absently rubbing the bruise on her chest, “Maybe she didn’t buy the lie.”

  “I don’t think it was her,” Max said with a shake of her head, “she seems more confrontational than passive. I can see her calling me out in front of the town, but I don’t see her leaving a note on a sign in front of our house. Whoever did this is trying to avoid direct conflict.”

  “Do you think it could have been Zeke or Melissa or Eli?” Dani asked.

  She couldn’t see Zeke or Melissa acting in such a manner, but Eli might. She had often seen him biting his tongue around people, or holding back when he wanted to strike out. Maybe this was his way of showing the Agents that he was more perceptive than he appeared.

  “I don’t know, babe,” Max replied, resting her hand on Dani’s thigh. The couch didn’t face any windows, so she wasn’t concerned with being observed by the neighbors still gawking at the house. “Why don’t you invite Melissa and the Fisk’s for dinner? Maybe they’ll be able to give us some insight.”

  ***

  “Max,” Pastor Fisk greeted when Max answered the door, “Lilah and I are so glad to hear that you’re alright. When we heard that your house had been vandalized, we were so concerned that one of you had been home.”

  Max waved off the clergyman’s worries and stepped aside to allow the family entrance. “We weren’t home,” she replied, leading everyone into the living room, “In fact, we came home this morning, after the police called.”

  “Thank the Lord,” Lilah said, pulling Max into a heartfelt embrace. Max patted the woman on the back and guided her to the couch.

  “Please, have a seat,” she said, “Daniela will be out in a few minutes. She wanted to take a shower before you all arrived. I swear,” she added with a motherly smile, “that girl has become addicted to showering before every meal. It’s like she can’t eat without being clean first.”

  The elder Fisk’s chuckled and pointed to the three teens. “Tell us about it,” Ezra laughed, “it’s as if puberty finally sparks their appreciation for cleanliness. You’re lucky, though. We have three teens fighting each other over two showers. Lilah and I haven’t had hot water in almost four years.”

  Max smiled at the teens and nodded at their parents. “Even with two bathrooms, I have to wake up at five in the morning to get a hot shower. If I don’t, Daniela will have used all the hot water getting ready for school.”

  “You’re just as bad as I am,” Dani said, running a brush through her hair as she joined the others in the living room. “Don’t let my mom fool you,” she warned the Fisk’s, “she’ll get in the shower and stay there until the water turns her into a snowman.”

  The teens snickered and greeted their friend. “How was Portland?” Melissa asked when Dani perched on the arm of her chair.

  “It was amazing,” Dani replied. Inside the house, she wasn’t required to keep her phone with her to keep up her charade. The house was wired for audio and visual surveillance, which took some of the burden off Dani.

  “Mom took me out to a family-friendly LGBT night club for dinner. I’d never been to one before, but she and my other mom used to go to them all the time. It was so awesome. I got to dance and have fun, and mom showed me how to ballroom dance.”

  “Why did she show you that?” Zeke asked with a roll of his eyes, “Ballroom dancing is for old people.”

  Ezra and Lilah gave their son a warning glare, but the others laughed. Even Max had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing.

  “My parent’s wedding song came on and mom looked like she was going to cry. I asked her if she would teach me to dance to it, because I know she and Diane used to dance to it all the time.”

  “That’s so sweet, Daniela,” Lilah declared with a tear in her eye, “More kids these days should be as thoughtful and accommodating towards their parents as you are, dear.”

  Dani blushed and looked away uncomfortably. If any of their guests had an idea of how accommodating she’d been to Max the previous night, they’d run straight for the nearest confessional.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, Daniela,” Ezra said, “It’s commendable th
at you are so supportive of your mother. Not many kids these days care about anything but their phones and social media accounts.”

  Zeke, Eli, and Melissa stared at their shoes, a move that didn’t go unnoticed by Max and Dani.

  “I don’t have a social media account,” Dani said truthfully, “So, unless I’m reading a conversation to keep up with what’s being said, I mostly just play Candy Crush.”

  The others chuckled as the timer in the kitchen went off. “That’s the lasagna,” Max announced, “Daniela, why don’t you show our guests where to wash up at.”

  Dani nodded and motioned for the teens to join her. While the kids washed up, Max, Ezra, and Lilah moved into the kitchen.

  “Is there anything we can help with?” Ezra offered kindly. Max nodded toward the fridge. “If you’d be so kind, there’s a salad in there,” she said, pulling the lasagna from the oven.

  Ezra retrieved the salad and placed it on the table beside the entrée. Max directed Lilah to a basket of garlic bread and within minutes everyone was gathered at the table.

  “Max, do you and Daniela say grace before meals?” Ezra asked as the group took their seats.

  “I do, but Daniela doesn’t,” Max supplied honestly.

  Max typically observed a moment of silence before eating, saying a prayer in her head so as not to offend those around her. Since Dani showed so much acceptance of Max’s religious routine, Max felt it only fair to show her partner the same courtesy.

  “I don’t mind,” Dani said, “It wouldn’t be very tolerant of me to deny everyone else their traditions. Please don’t be offended, though, that I don’t join you.”

  The others nodded their agreement, but Max noticed the stiffening of Eli’s posture. It was obvious that the young man didn’t like Dani’s stance on religion, but Max gave him credit for not confronting her wife about it again.

  Max offered Pastor Fisk the honor of saying the prayer and everyone bowed their heads. Dani refrained from participating, and took the opportunity to study their guests.

  The Fisk’s held hands around the table, with Melissa taking Max’s left hand. Pastor Fisk spoke with reverence and genuine emotion as he thanked God for Max and Dani’s safety, their friendship, and the bounty that had been prepared for them.

  She noticed, as she glanced at each of the others, that Elijah’s mouth was moving as his father spoke. The movement of his lips didn’t match the words that were spoken aloud, and Dani wondered what the boy was praying for. She closed her eyes and concentrated on tuning out the Pastor’s prayer.

  At first, she heard nothing but Ezra’s deep baritone voice. As her mind focused on a faint whisper, the older man’s words faded away and Elijah’s became clearer.

  “Please, Father, help me show Daniela the error of her ways and guide her toward the path of righteousness. The events of today were just the beginning, Lord. I understand your plan for her, and am a willing vessel through which your divine will shall be achieved. Her time will come, Lord, I promise you I will not fail. Amen.”

  Dani opened her eyes a mere second before everyone else lifted their heads. She excused herself as the others began filling their plates, claiming a need to use the facilities.

  “Mom, I’m going to use your bathroom,” she said meeting Max’s gaze, “that way if anyone else has to go, they can.”

  Max nodded, and Dani hurried up the stairs. They’d discussed a game plan earlier, and agreed that if Dani heard anything suspicious, she would use the excuse to pass her suspicions on to Agent Young.

  While Max engaged their guests in conversation, Dani closed the door to Max’s en-suite and pulled out her real cell phone.

  “What did you hear, Dani?” Young asked by way of greeting.

  Dani relayed Eli’s words and waited until Young gave her confirmation that the recording was successful.

  “Call Frost and request a tail on him,” she instructed, “outside school hours, of course. I want to know what he’s up to, and how I should proceed. If he took the girls, we need to find out where he’s holding them. I don’t get an evil vibe from him, but something about him has me on edge.”

  “Got it. We’ll call you in a bit. Save me some of that lasagna, will ya?”

  Dani chuckled and hung up the phone. When she returned to the table, Melissa caught her attention.

  “Daniela, why don’t you settle a debate for us?” the girl asked, smirking as Dani sat down.

  Dani glanced around the table at the curious looks the others were tossing her way. She quirked a brow and looked to Max, who had a familiar smile on her face. Oh, shit. This is something about me.

  “Um, okay,” she said, reaching for a piece of garlic bread.

  I wonder what my loving wife has told them. I may have to kill her. Yep, if she embarrasses me, I’m going to kill her. Or divorce her. Yeah, that would be much worse than killing her.

  Dani looked to Max and raised her hands to sign. Divorce or slow, painful death?

  Max snorted. Relax, sweetheart. You’ll get a kick out of their topic.

  Dani eyed her wife suspiciously before returning her attention to her friend. “What’s the topic?”

  Pastor Fisk cleared his throat and called for Dani’s attention. “Daniela, I want you to know that there is no judgement being passed at this table. How you answer Melissa’s question will not affect how you are treated by any member of my family.”

  Dani frowned and glanced at Melissa. “I’m not worried, Pastor. I don’t put any stock in what others think of me. If who I am doesn’t meet with someone’s expectations, I guess that person isn’t worth my time.”

  Murmurs of agreement rounded the room. “Go ahead, Melissa. What do you want me to settle?”

  “Are you straight, bisexual, or lesbian?” Melissa asked frankly.

  Dani’s jaw dropped, and her head whipped to Max. You started this debate, didn’t you?

  Max shook her head and tipped it slightly toward Eli. Dani smirked and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “You were debating my sexuality?” she asked the table. She watched the reactions of each of their guests, trying to gauge who thought what.

  Ezra’s and Melissa’s smiles never faltered. Zeke’s face flamed wildly, as did Lilah’s. Eli’s face, however, held a hopefulness that even a toddler would recognize.

  “We’re just curious, Daniela,” Melissa said, “We want to see which of us is right.”

  “I see,” Dani said, toying with the salad on her plate, “what do you all think? Each of you tell me what your guess is, and I will tell you who is right.”

  The others exchanged glances and a blush worked its way across the faces of each member of the Fisk family.

  Dani turned warning eyes on Max. “You first, Mom.”

  Max’s smile widened as she took a delicate sip of her drink. “I said straight. You know I love you, no matter your sexual identity. I just feel like you are more interested in boys.”

  Dani fixed a mask of indifference on her face, but Max caught ice in the younger woman’s eyes. Looks like I’m going to be groveling tonight.

  “I say she’s a lesbian,” Melissa declared confidently. “I haven’t seen her bat a single eye at any of the boys in school.”

  “That’s your reasoning?” Zeke asked his cousin, “You think she’s a lesbian because she hasn’t flirted with any of us? How does that make her a lesbian? Maybe she’s got a boyfriend from her old school.”

  Melissa shrugged. “Maybe,” she acquiesced, “or maybe she’s interested in the girls and is too shy to flirt with them. She always keeps her eyes on the floor in the locker room, and is always the first one changed and out into the gym.”

  “What do you think, Zeke?” Dani asked pointedly. Max had told her the name of Zeke’s favorite book, and Dani easily figured out the boy’s secret. Now, she was curious how accurate his gaydar was.

  “I don’t have a guess,” he replied, avoiding her gaze, “who you are attracted to makes no difference to me. It’s no
ne of my business, and I don’t feel right making assumptions about my friend, without any evidence to support my theory.”

  Dani nodded appreciatively at the young man. “And you, Eli?” she asked, pinning the other twin with a speculative look.

  Eli’s eyes danced, and he spoke with confidence. “I think you’re straight. You’re too pretty to be a lesbian.”

  “Elijah!” Ezra and Lilah cried in unison. “That is an absurd and highly inappropriate thing to say!” Lilah scolded her son. Ezra narrowed his eyes menacingly and shook his head.

  “She asked us what we think!” Eli defended. “It would have been rude of me not to respond to her question truthfully. I think she is straight. I also think she is too pretty to be with other girls.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Max asked the young man. “Daniela is the spitting image of her mother, and her mother came out as a lesbian at fourteen. Using your logic, Eli, her mother would have been straight, too.”

  Eli seemed to sense that he had put himself into a precarious situation. He had the decency to look embarrassed as he apologized to Max and Dani. Ezra and Lilah continued to glare daggers at the boy as each admitted to thinking Dani is bisexual.

  Everyone was quiet as they waited for Dani to speak. She could see the curiosity in their eyes, and purposely drew out their suffering. After several moments of everyone staring at her, Dani finally smirked and shook her head.

  “Not only am I not straight,” she said mischievously, “I’m also not a lesbian or bisexual. I’m asexual.”

  Eli looked at the others, only to see his own confusion mirrored on their faces. “What does that mean?”

  Dani shrugged. “It means I am not interested in, or attracted to, either gender. The idea of sexual intimacy with another person does not appeal to me.”

  “So, you’re not interested in sex at all?” Lilah asked curiously.

  Normally, the pastor’s wife would never have posed such a question to a child, but Dani’s reply intrigued her. All teenagers were interested in sex, weren’t they?

  Dani shook her head and smiled kindly at the older woman. “No, Ma’am. I have no interest in sexual gratification.”