Missing Person

Chapter Four

Ashley stood motionless in the corner of Paula and Arthur’s room, her eyes scanning over their sleeping forms. Confident they would not wake she padded silently towards the master bathroom, knowing from experience that their valuables would most likely be in there. Slipping through the slightly cracked door, she allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Once everything came more distinctly into focus she spotted exactly what she was looking for. A jewelry box.

She delicately lifted the cover off, setting it without a sound on the counter. There were rings, necklaces, bracelets, and all made out of gold or better. If she took it all she wouldn’t owe Max a damn thing anymore. A wave of guilt ran through her at that thought, and she immediately knew she couldn’t do that. Frowning down at the box she decided that half would be enough. Just enough to keep Max preoccupied. As she sifted through the valuables she tried to avoid anything that looked old or antique-y. She didn’t want to jack some family heirloom or something.

Once she was satisfied with her loot, she stuffed it all in the pockets of Spencer’s jeans. She left the room without a sound, carefully descending the stairs and making a bee line for the front door. With her hand on the handle she glanced over her shoulder towards the girl’s bedroom door. Could she just leave without as much as a thank you? She stood there for what felt like minutes, debating whether or not just leaving would be easier. No, she had to leave something for Spencer. Something to let her know that this isn’t the way she wanted things to go.

Walking hurriedly into the kitchen she found a notepad by the telephone. She picked it up and commenced the scribbling of a quick apology letter.

Sorry about everything. If I didn’t take it Max would have…

Her lips pressed together in a thin line as she tore out that slip of paper and crumbled it up.

Thank you for the food and the clothes and stuff. Sorry about stealing your mom’s…

With a suppressed groan she tore that piece out as well.

You were nicer to me than I ever deserved. Sorry I proved you wrong.