“So, Alex, as I was saying, if you change Part A to Part B, you could cut down production time—”

Brrrring brrrring brrrring

“I’m sorry, Alex. I thought I had silenced my phone; give me a moment.”

I answer the phone.

“Good afternoon, Ronald Greene speaking. How can I help you?”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Greene; Detective Chambers with Seattle PD.”

“Hold on one second.”

I cover the mouthpiece and say, “Alex, I’ve got to take this call. We’ll pick this up later. Please close the door behind you.”

Alex nods and shuts the door as he leaves.

“I’m sorry about that; I was in the middle of a meeting. How can I help you, Detective Chambers?”

“Yes, I’m calling about your wife—”

“My wife—”

“Yes, you filed a missing person report with the NYPD. Well, Mr. Greene, we found her, or at least someone claiming to be Regina Greene.”

“Is she okay?”

“That’s hard to say, sir. She’s currently at the hospital undergoing evaluation. When officers picked her up, she had been wandering the streets barefoot and covered in blood.”

Fuck!

“We will need you to come down here and answer some questions.”

“Right, ummm, I need to check my schedule. Can I g—”

“For a man who just found out that his missing wife has been found after a year, and in another state across the country, you don’t sound too excited or worried. Is there something I should know?”

Yes. Run far away.

“No. No secrets here,” I chuckle nervously. I guess I lost hope of seeing her, and I think I’m having a hard time processing this information. Sorry.”

“That’s understandable. So, when are you coming, Mr. Greene?”

“I will be on a flight the first thing in the morning.”

I get the relevant information and hang up the phone.

How is this even possible. He assured me that if I followed his directions, it would work. Perform the ritual. 1999 pieces. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

I find his number and call it, and after a few rings, an unfamiliar voice answers.”

“Oh, hello. I was trying to reach Father Daniel.”

The woman on the other line starts crying and tells me, “Father Daniel was found dead yesterday. He was visiting Seattle.”

I give her my condolences and hang up.

How is this even possible? I scattered Regina’s body parts around the world.

If she can survive that, there’s no point in living.

I sit down and load the gun I’ve kept in my drawer for the last year. I take the safety off, place the barrel in my mouth, and pull the trigger.

Click

Fuck!

Click

Damnit!

Click

Please God, help me!

“Sorry, Ronald, God called out sick today.”

Regina’s voice echoes in my head.

What’s the matter? Don’t you want to see your dear old wife?”

Her laughter rings in my ears.

“Did you really think I would let you off that easily?”