Chapter 33 (Caden)

                                        

                                              
Standing at the stove, I was flipping the second batch of pancakes and bacon—Macy's favorite breakfast. I only bust out the giant cast iron griddle a few times a year, but it was worth every penny for mornings like this. I love this thing and it makes the pancakes taste out of this world. Well, that, and my super-secret recipe. The smell of breakfast permeated the kitchen, and probably the whole house by now. This was morning comfort food at its finest. 
"More syrup and strawberries, please," Macy said, holding up her plate. She looked better this morning—she had a little pink back in her cheeks and she seemed more like herself.
"How's your arm feeling?" I asked, adding another pancake to her stack. I placed the bowl of sliced strawberries and the bottle of maple syrup in front of my daughter.
Today, she could have as much as she wanted—we'd all just have to plan for a nap. A carb-and sugar-loaded breakfast like this was definitely going to knock us into a food coma sometime in the next two hours.
"Good. It doesn't hurt at all anymore. Can we still go get my stuff today?"
Felicity and I exchanged glances. We'd planned to retrieve Macy's belongings this morning, but after last night's nightmare, I wasn't sure if it was the right timing.
"We don't have to rush it," Felicity said, gently. "We could wait a few more days if you want."
"No, I want to get my things. Especially my art supplies and my books. I miss them."
"Okay," I said. "Or, we could just buy you all new supplies for now."
Macy paused, looked down, and very quietly said, "but I need Lamby too." 
"Oooooooh," responded Felicity. Lamby is Macy's stuffed animal. She has loved it and slept with it since she was a baby. I'd thought maybe by now she had outgrown it, but she must still sleep with it. If ever there was a time for your emotional-support-stuffie, now was it. Felicity reached over and placed her hand on Macy's back, smiling softly at her.
"Okay honey, we'll go get your stuff today. Don't worry," I responded. 
"Okay. Thanks, Daddy."
"But if you change your mind at any point, we leave. Deal?"
"Deal."
An hour later, we were getting in the car, preparing to follow Detective Morrison's cruiser to Jessica's house. Morrison had shown up at the house a few minutes earlier with another officer riding shotgun. They'd briefed us that the house should be empty—Brad seems to have disappeared. He hasn't been back to his house since Jessica had taken off with Macy. 
We turned into the neighborhood and followed Morrison's car into the driveway. 
"That's interesting." Felicity said.
"Sure is." We were referring to the silver Lexus sitting in the driveway—Brad's car. Morrison pulled up behind it, and we parked alongside.
"I thought he wasn't going to be here." I muttered.
Morrison was already out of his car and motioned for us to stay back. The other officer appeared to be calling for backup on his radio.
"Stay in the car," I told Felicity and Macy.
"Dad, what's happening?" Macy asked, craning her neck to see.
"Caden, maybe you should stay too," Felicity urged. 
"It'll be okay. I won't get too close. I just want to talk to Morrison and see if he thinks it would be better for us to leave and come back later." 
Felicity nodded, looking at Detective Morrison—I could tell she was just as curious and feeling cautious. "Okay—but really, please don't be a hero in whatever is unfolding here." Then she turned toward Macy and said, "we're just going to stay here together, okay? The police need to handle something first. Daddy's just going to check it out and see if we should come back later."