Merrville County

  Chastain Residence

  Madison emerges from the bathroom dressed in a pair of loose jeans and a Broncos t-shirt. She gives Morris the stink eye as she and Titus make their way back to the living room.

  "I need a belt," Madison quips. "I think your ex had a bit more in back...To be able to fit in these jeans, Morris."

  "Yeah," Morris admits. "Brittany was a bit thicc. I didn't really consider the difference in your sizes. Your hips are a little wider though. I thought that would make up for the difference. Let me grab you a belt. I'll be right back."

  Morris disappears up the hallway. While he is gone, Madison wanders around the living room. She studies the various pictures and plaques placed strategically on the walls and the mantle. Deputy Chastain reappears a few moments later. He crosses to Madison and hands her a small brown belt.

  "Here you go," Morris says.

  "Thanks," Madison replies, taking the belt from Morris' hand.

  Deputy Chastain watches every movement of Madison's hands, as she puts on the belt. He notes the color of her nail beds, the French coloring at the tips of her nails, the soft delicateness of her fingers, and the tone of her skin. Eventually, he shifts his gaze upward. Just the tiniest bit of Madison's side comes into view as she adjusts the large t-shirt above her borrowed denim jeans. Morris allows himself an even more in-depth look at the fullness of her breasts, hidden as they are by his exe's bulky sports t-shirt.

  Cursing himself, and purposefully glancing away, Deputy Morris issues a low sigh. He is definitely going to hell--for thinking dirty thoughts about the wife of one of his best friends in the whole world. Damn Aquarius for screwing up the natural order of the world. If not for that damned killer, who knows whose bed Madison might be sleeping in. Maybe even his own.

  "Morris...Two men....They broke into our house. They broke into our house...And they took Jamie. One of the men tried to rape me, but I stabbed him. I stabbed him with James' pen," Madison stops talking long enough to demonstrate. "I stabbed him in the ear. And then, I used the gun James bought me...And I shot the bastard. I'm certain it's the guy who's been impersonating James. I'm not kidding you, Morris. He could be James' long lost twin. He's still in our house. I heard...And I saw the car that they took Jamie in. Well, sort of. I think I'd recognize it...If I saw it again. We have to go, Morris. We have to hurry."

  "Whoa, whoa! Slow down, Madison," Deputy Morris says softly. "I need you to sit down a minute...And relax."

  "Relax?" Madison shrieks, hysteria in her voice. "They have my son, Morris. And a helluva head start. I need you to drive me around for a bit. Until we see the car."

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  "Drive around? Madison, do you have any idea how many streets there are in this town? What if they aren't even in town anymore? We'd be driving around for hours...And still be nowhere closer to finding your son."

  "This is Castleton. Not L.A.," Madison yells, becoming fed up with Morris' lack of cooperation. "I came here because I thought you could help me, Morris."

  Deputy Chastain grips Madison by the shoulders, staring deep into her eyes.

  "I am helping you, Madison. I will help you. But driving around with no idea where to look...Isn't the answer."

  The wail of an approaching siren causes Madison's mouth to gape open. She stares at Deputy Morris with a mixture of sadness and betrayal. Removing the deputy's hands from her shoulders, Madison backs warily away.

  "What did you do, Morris?" Madison asks, her voice shaky and full of emotion.

  "What I had to do," Morris responds, taking a step closer to Madison. "If what you've told me is true...We need to find these guys. And fast. The department can do that a lot faster than either you or I."

  "What do you mean...If?" Madison hisses angrily.

  "I mean...What you think has happened may be a lot different than what is actually happening. Earlier, I called Dave. I shouldn't have. But, I did. I told Dave that ballistics came back on a bullet found at the construction site. The markings on the bullet match those of Mackey's firearm. I told Dave...Chief O'Leary was gonna have James' bail revoked. As early as Monday."

  Morris becomes visibly angry, slamming one fist into the palm of his other hand. The junior deputy's face reddens.

  "I never should have said anything. This is what the Chief feared would happen. It's likely that James has absconded, Madison. This could be a part of the original plan. Whoever took your son may be working with your husband. Your son may be with him right now."

  Madison's growing fury boils over. She raises a hand and strikes Morris across the left side of his face.

  "How dare you say that about James!" Madison cries through a torrent of fresh tears. "How dare you! Everyone seems to have given up on my husband. Everyone seems to have forgotten how much he sacrificed for the department. And for me. You're all so willing to twist the knife in him and call it finished. James would never do anything like that to me. I know he wouldn't. I hate you, Morris Chastain! I hate you!"

  Madison sobs and whirls towards the front door--in order to flee. Deputy Chastain grips her in a bear hug from behind. The harried mother slaps at his hands and arms, continuing to sob.

  "Let go of me, Morris Chastain. Let go of me! I'll find my husband...And my son...On my own. Let go of me!"

  "No, Madison. Not until you've calmed down and thought about what I'm saying. You know I'm making sense."

  "You go to hell, Morris! Just go to hell!" Madison yells at the tops of her lungs. "Let go of me!"

  There is a loud knock on the front door and Deputy Chastain issues a defeated sigh. He appeals to the law enforcement officers on the other side of the wooden door.

  "Come in. It's open," Morris cries.

  Chief O'Leary and two other police officers step into the house, taking in the scene around them. Madison drops her head to her chest and sobs silently, her shoulders bobbing with the effort. Titus begins to bark his head off at the three new figures in the home.

  "You bastard," Madison whispers. "You're all bastards. I hate you all."

  Morris peers over at Chief O'Leary, but doesn't say a word.