Never Look Back

  Rob frowned. “She has a distant aunt in Arizona. She doesn’t have any cousins that I know off. She's the only child. I called a bunch of her friends. None of them have heard from Dana.”

  “Write their numbers down.”

  Rob checked his iPhone and jotted the information down.

  Officer Jones bit his lip. "I hate to tell you, but we've seen this case numerous times. Woman disappears, and later on, we discover she took a vacation to some exotic paradise." He leaned forward. "Didn't you say she's a model? She most likely wants some peace and quiet from all the cameras."

  Rob didn't budge. "That's still no excuse. I stand my ground."

  “You don’t stop, do you? Give me your card. He will call you. In the meantime, get out of here and have some Christmas cheer.”

  Rob gave him a dirty look.

  “We’ll be in touch.”

  Chapter 7

  Rob bid goodbye to the last model in his studio and rushed upstairs. It was Christmas Eve, and he needed to drive to his parents' house in New Jersey. His mother wouldn’t forgive him if he arrived late. His two brothers and their families would be there too. He loved living in New York where he had the option of having his work studio and living premises above in one loft, but at times he had to learn to balance work and home. As he shut the studio lights, a knock sounded at the door. Rob glanced at his watch, and his stomach growled. It had been hours since he last ate. Hesitating, he opened the door, taken aback to see Stacy standing outside wrapped in a fur coat with a smile plastered on her face.

  “Hi.”

  “What a surprise?”

  “Um.” She bit her lip. “I hope it’s not too late, but I feel I owe you an apology for what happened earlier today. I won’t stay long. I know it’s Christmas.”

  Rob swung the door open. “Come in. No need to apologize, I understand.”

  “My mother doesn’t like the idea of me chatting with customers.”

  "So I gathered."

  Stacy stepped inside and studied his loft. Swirling around the white open space, she beamed. “Wow. What an amazing place you have here.” She laid her purse on the couch and sat down.

  He shut the door behind him and sat on the couch. “Can I offer you a drink? Red wine?”

  “Sure.”

  Rob headed for the kitchen and poured two glasses then strode back to the couch. “So tell me, what do you do aside from managing your family business?” He handed her a glass.

  Crossing her legs, Stacy said. “I love going to museums. I’m actually leaving.”

  “Leaving?”

  “If I stay here any longer, I won’t be able to make a life of my own. I’m going to Paris in March.”

  “Hmm. Paris?”

  “I know, something different, right?" She took a sip. "I want to explore the city, learn French, and who knows? Maybe make a life there.”

  “That’s great.”

  Stacy set the glass on the coffee table and removed her coat. Rob's eyes opened wide as she bared her flawless naked body. She had curves in the right places and well-defined breasts with a sun tattoo on her belly button. Not that he hadn’t seen models nude before. He just hadn’t expected Stacy to approach him this way.

  She winked. “I thought I’d take your offer.”

  He swallowed hard. “Right.”

  Like a professional, Rob approached the camera and fitted the lens then played with the lights.

  Stacy lay on the floor, her head leaning toward the left as Rob snapped away. She’s a natural.

  Thoughts of Dana clamored upon him, and he felt guilty admiring Stacy. Dana was always on his mind. He never had had the courage to tell her how he felt, but deep inside, he knew Dana was aware of this.

  Temptation tugged his inside as Stacy played with different poses.

  “It’s a wrap,” Rob said. “Congratulations, you look wonderful.”

  The sudden pinkness of her cheeks only enhanced her natural beauty. “Can I see?”

  Rob shook his head. “I never show the raw pictures. I’ll mail you copies.”

  Approaching him, she traced her finger on his jaw. “You don’t have to mail the photos. I’d love to see you again.”

  Stacy leaned closer and pressed her lips on his. With eyes shut, Rob couldn't resist her soft lips. He found himself melting in her kisses and still couldn’t believe Stacy would do this. At the pastry shop, Stacy appeared like a school girl, but she wasted no time starting to undress Rob.

  Rob pulled away to catch his breath. “Wait a minute. I’m not sure this is right. I hardly know you.”

  She clasped her hand against his and brought it to cup her breast. “We can talk later. You don’t want to lose the momentum.”

  Closing his eyes, he let Stacy take the lead as she finished undressing him. She was powerful and maneuvered ever inch of his body with her tongue. Lost in her touch, Rob’s desire grew as he laid her down and thrust inside her. She closed her eyes and moaned as he licked her breasts. Stacy tasted like honey, her body fresh like the morning dew. Her thighs locked around his buttocks as he rocked inside her. When they both released, Rob collapsed beside her. Holding her tight, Rob traced her jaw with his fingers and kissed her.

  Moments later, Stacy grabbed her coat and kissed him goodbye. “Happy holidays, Rob.”

  The clicking of her heels and she was gone. Rob covered his face. This wasn’t the first time a client seduced him after a pictorial, but he had broken his golden rule about not sleeping with clients. He never believed in casual sex. However, Stacy had caught him off guard. He couldn’t deny his attraction, yet everything happened so fast. Guilt washed upon him. He was supposed to be searching for Dana, not having sex with a stranger.

  ***

  Outside the window, snow descended to the ground. Christmas Eve and Dana was all alone. She missed the lights and spirit of Manhattan. Her wrapped gifts for her friends were all laid on her Christmas tree. Would she have a chance to give them away one day? Sadness crawled inside her. No amount of words could describe what she was going through. Grieving for her father wasn’t over. Knowing she may never be alive again was worse. She needed to escape. Clutching her necklace locket, Dana sang the famous, Silent Night to keep the holiday spirit going and calm her fears.

  She dug into her pocket and removed the three items she had now—a screwdriver, Ginny’s pastry shop business card, and the driver’s watch. Aside from her locket, these were the only precious objects she could think of now aside from her comfortable pajamas and avocado rolls.

  Dana had explored ever room in the house, but she hadn’t paid much attention to the unfinished room. She slipped inside the room and turned on the lights. A cold breeze sent a shiver down her spine. Eying the window, her jaw dropped. Unlike the other windows in the house, this one had no grills. A rush of adrenaline awakened her spirits. Why didn’t I thoroughly check this room before? She ran back to the living room and bundled up in double pajamas, her jacket.

  If she escaped now, who would find her? What if she died of hypothermia before anybody found her? But what options did she have? Dana would rather try and fail then just sit there waiting. She unfastened the screws of the window, and the air gushed in. Heart pounding, she lifted herself up and jumped outside. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

  She was free.

  Dana marched down the icy pavement. Thank God she wore her gloves and Uggs that day and she was used to the cold weather in Alaska. If anything, her spirit would carry her through. Walking down the catwalk countless times and not having a full meal never bothered her. If she had to walk a hundred miles in this winter cold, she would. Brrr.

  Chapter 8

  At his mother’s house in New Jersey, Rob watched his nephews and niece giggle while they watched TV. He visited his family a couple of times a year during Thanksgiving and Christmas. How quickly they grew.

  His mother eyed him as she dried the dishes. “When are you going to give me another grandchild?”

  He swallowed hard. “
I don’t know, Mom.”

  “Oh, c’mon, I know you like that model. She’s the only woman you ever took home to meet me, and she loved my homemade pumpkin pie.” She winked.

  Bile rose in his throat. He missed Dana more than ever.

  “So? Where is she?”

  Rob knew he had to tell his mother about Dana’s situation so he relayed the story to her.

  “What do the police have to say about this?”

  Rob checked his iPhone and shook his head. “They think she must have traveled to be alone. Her father just died.”

  “Maybe they’re right.”

  “No, something’s off. She wouldn’t just disappear like that.” He wished he could open up to his mother, but he couldn't break the confidence Dana entrusted in him.

  ***

  Back at home enjoying her family dinner, Stacy couldn’t wipe away her smile. After she told her best friend about Rob, Lisa dared her to be promiscuous. Stacy had to admit it felt good. She never made the first move with a man before, but after her bad break-up with Paul, she wasn’t worried about inhibitions anymore. She had fun, and she knew Rob did.

  Her mother caught her humming. “Why are you so happy today?”

  She stared at her plate, the remnants of lamb chops, some turkey, and a bit of baked potatoes stuck on it. “It’s Christmas, Mom. Why shouldn’t I be happy?”

  Her mother studied her. “Did you see that man again?”

  “What man?”

  Her father glanced at her. “Is there something you wish to tell us, Stacy?”

  “You know who I’m talking about,” her mother added.

  Folding her arms, Stacy sighed. “Mom, there’s nothing wrong with men.” Then turning to her father, Stacy added. “If you guys are so miserable then you should have broken up years ago.”

  Her sister bowed her head down

  Glaring at her, her father said, “I will not allow you to talk to us this way.”

  Pushing her plate, Stacy rose from her seat. “I’m not hungry.” She strode downstairs hoping to get some air. Lights shone from the basement. Her father's workplace.

  Stacy shook her head. It’s Christmas and after dinner Dad will do the usual—work!

  She pushed the door and shut her eyes. The flashing lights blinded her.

  Opening her eyes, she glanced at the folders scattered on the floor and walked toward the corner where three monitors sat on a desk. What is he working on?

  As she leaned on the desk, the monitors lit up. “Oh no.” She covered her face to block out the photos of young naked teenage having sex with older men and women. “No, this can’t be real.”

  A wave of anxiety washed over her. She picked up the folders from the floor—files of different teenage women, all nude. Unable to stomach this, she rushed toward the exit and bumped into her father who stared at her with cold, grim, guarded eyes.

  “What are you doing here?”

  She gasped, but no words came from her mouth. Shoving him away, Stacy dashed to the streets and didn’t look back. A cold shiver ran through her spine. How could he do this? How long had he been doing this pornography business? She had always thought the restaurant was their only business and he spent hours in the basement balancing their sales reports and expenses. Did her mother know about this? If she did, how could her mother keep this from her? A knot formed in her stomach. This made her sick.

  Still rushing, Stacy tried not to focus on the cold, or that no one else was around. Without her thick coat, she wouldn't last long out here.

  I’m not going back there. I’ll stay in a hotel if I have to. She needed to call her sister. Racing thoughts occupied her as she hurried, having no time to pause to catch her breath. Moments later, she heard strong footsteps following her along with a dark shadow. Fear crawled inside her, and all she could do was run faster.

  ***

  Rob's iPhone vibrated, and he bolted right up from his bed. Glancing at the clock, he moaned. Five a.m., who could be calling me this early. “This is Rob.”

  “Rob, Hanson, this is Detective Schultz. Officer Jones gave me your number. I’m so—“

  “I expected you to call me last night. I thought you’d forgotten about me. Do you have any leads about the case?”

  “I’m afraid we found an unidentified body.” He paused. “She matches your description. I need you to come and meet me at the morgue.”

  Rob’s heart sank like a deflated balloon. It can’t be Dana. “I’ll be there. Please give me the address.”

  ***

  “Please to meet you,” Rob greeted Detective Schultz, a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and pronounced beer belly, who seemed more relaxed compared to the more serious Officer Jones.

  “Thank you for coming in right away,” Detective Schultz shook Rob’s hand before signaling the examiner to lower the sheets.

  The mixture of rubbing alcohol and blood made Rob dizzy. He flexed his hands back and forth wanting to escape the enclosed morgue.

  Rob’s throat constricted as the body was displayed.

  “Slashed throat and multiple beatings,” The examiner relayed to both of them.

  “Oh, my God.” Covering his face, Rob vomited everything he ate earlier that evening on the floor.

  Detective Schultz patted him on the back and gave him a towel. “Is this the woman you are talking about?”

  Catching his breath and unable to look at the body again, Rob shook his head. “That’s not Dana. Thank God.” He stuttered.

  The detective glanced at the examiner and gestured to leave them alone. The examiner nodded. “You’ll need to come with me to the station.”

  “Oh, God. Who would possibly do this?”

  ***

  At the station, Rob sat across from the detective’s office while he recorded their conversation. “State your name and your relationship to Dana Simmons.”

  “I already told you in the car. I gave all the info to Officer Jones.”

  “We need this for standard procedures.”

  Rob followed his orders.

  “And prior to Dana's disappearance, you never saw her?”

  “I only saw her before she left for Alaska."

  “And what where you doing at Ginny's cafe for the past two days?”

  "You've been following me?" Rob leaned back.

  The detective gestured for Rob to continue.

  “Well, like I told Officer Jones, somebody left a fruitcake for Dana." He crossed his legs. “Wait a minute, are you trying to interrogate me? Shouldn’t you be investigating where Dana is?”

  “Don’t you worry, I have my team taking care of all that.” He folded his arms, and the smile on his face disappeared. “What time were you at Ginny’s?”

  Rob glanced at the ceiling. “After three o’clock.”

  The detective shrugged. “Just standard questions. The woman who served you, Stacy Kestav, did you see her after that?”

  His rendezvous with Stacy remained fresh on his mind—her luscious lips, vibrant personality… Something inside him wanted to see her again. "Why are you asking me about Stacy? I thought we were here to discuss about Dana. Is there anything wrong with Stacy?"

  Detective Schultz's eyes were guarded.

  “Detective, I wish you would cut to the chase.” Lips puckered, he added, “Like I said, I went to Ginny’s because the day my friend, Dana disappeared, she received a fruitcake from an anonymous person who bought it from Ginny’s. Take a look at this card." He handed it to the detective. "I was there to find clues.”

  Detective Shultz read the card then leaned closer. “Stacy was reported missing by her parents a few hours ago. It hasn't been forty-eight hours yet. We suspect her disappearance has something to do with Dana.”

  "What?"

  Detective Schultz straightened his shoulders and looked at him straight in the eye. "It seems that these two women have one thing in common." He pointed at Rob. "You."

  Clenching his fists, Rob blurted out. “This isn’t how it seems.
When I was at the café, Stacy and I engaged in a conversation.” Tilting his head, he said, “Her mother didn’t like her chatting with the customers as she had to work.” Wanting to provide full disclosure, Rob added. “She passed by my place to apologize then wanted to have her pictures taken.”

  “Pictures?”

  “I’m a photographer.”

  “Right.”

  “One thing led to another, then the next thing you know, we had sex.”

  "After you had sex, where did you go?"

  "I stayed home and went to sleep after Stacy left."

  "Can somebody confirm that?"

  "This is bull shit! I told you, Stacy came to my house." Rob tightened his jaw.

  Shaking his head, the detective said, “You expect me to believe your story that this woman came to your house to have sex.” Detective Schultz coughed. “And now she vanished, just like your girlfriend." He leaned back. "You don't have an alibi to prove your whereabouts Mr. Hanson."

  “I know what you're trying to imply, Detective, that I have something to do with this, but you're wasting your time, thinking that way instead of looking for Dana. You guys are slackers.”

  ***

  Marcy Simmons banged the wall from her room. How could they leave her confined in a room with no windows and just a mirror? If only she hadn't gone to her husband's memorial service. None of this would have happened. But she just had to get a glimpse of her daughter Dana once again to see what a fine, beautiful woman she became. As a result, here she was, back where she started.

  The door flung open, and a short man with a pot belly and greasy face popped in with a tray of lunch.

  She immediately shut her eyes and pretended to sleep.

  He slapped her face. "Wake up, sleepyhead."

  Massaging her cheek, Marcy sat up. "You seem to be amused by hurting people. Did your parents abuse you as a child?"

  He slapped her again.

  Swaying her head side to side, she added, "That confirms it."

  "Look, lady." He pointed his finger too close to her eye. "If it were up to me, I would have killed you right away."

  "Oh, you poor thing, can't make your own decisions."