Where the Sun Sets
Chapter 22
The police had succeeded in suppressing traffic from entering Josephine's
street. But still it was difficult for her to maneuver her car past all the anxious
photographers awaiting her return. Her patience was truly tested during the twenty
minutes it took for her to get through the crowd. The drive up her street to her home
was like the first time for her somehow. The houses all looked strange; the
landscaping different somehow. It was as if she had never seen any of it before
now. And there were no visible signs of life. No one gardening, no children
playing. Not a squirrel or a bird. Josephine could not relax until she pulled into
her own drive. As she waited for the garage door to open for her, she noticed Billy
and Justin arguing on the front lawn.
Josephine exited her car, where it was in the driveway, and walked over to the
men. "What the hell is going on here?" She demanded. The screaming halted and the
two men looked at her heatedly.
It was Justin who spoke first. "The video is missing." Josephine looked
cautiously at the two men.
"Missing? How is that possible?"
"He was the last one with it." Billy was quick to declare his innocence.
"We were watching it in the great room. I wanted to see it before...I thought I
should see it." Justin Pictella was insecure in his defense.
"All I know is, I came into the room and he was watching the video. Right away
everything was my fault. Where were you? How could you let this happen? Josephine,
you have to believe I would never let anything happen to either of you. You're like
family to me."
"Family who pays you to do a job." Justin threw a verbal jab in Billy's
direction.
"Hello?" Josephine had to be the one to regain some kind of authority. "What
happened to the video? Come on guys, I have had a very long day and I would like to
take a nap before I go down to see Anthony. Justin?"
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