[ WP ] The running faucet

`` Tell us again what happened when you got home Mr. Jenkins.'' 
 
 Detective Howard leaned forward, flicked his cigarette in the plastic ashtray, and pressed record on his smart phone. The smoke burns my eyes and I consider asking him to put it out before thinking better of it. It's clear I do n't have the upper hand here. I'm on thin ice and this asshole wants to just pin this all on me and call it a night. 
 
 `` It's like I told the other three cops I talked to-'' 
 
 He holds up his hand interrupting me. 
 
 `` I know, but I want to hear it myself.'' He says with a grin. 
 
 These assholes have no desire to actually do anything. Jesus. Alright, play their game, Sean. Just play. 
 
 `` Okay, `` I sigh `` fine. So I get home from work about 8:30pm...'' 
 
 I tell him the same thing I've told everybody else. How the lights were off when I got home, the TV was knocked over, and the faucet was still running in the kitchen. I tell this new cop how my wife and I had n't had one bad fight the twelve years we'd been together. I tell him about the note I found telling me where I can pick up Nicole's body if I do n't come up with the ransom. 
 
 `` Ah yeah, the note.'' 
 
 Seems I found Howard's interest again. He lights up another cigarette and blows a cloud of smoke in my face. My eyes burn. 
 
 `` Tell me again about the note.'' 
 
 `` It's in evidence, look at it yourself.'' 
 
 `` No, I want you to tell me how you felt when you found it.'' 
 
 `` How I felt? I felt sick. It was proof that Nicole did n't just leave. 
 
 `` Proof's a pretty strong word Mr. Jenkins.'' 
 
 I ca n't help but stare at this clod. What the fuck is he insinuating? 
 
 `` What the fuck are you insinuating? You should be out there finding the guy who took my wife! Not interrogating me, you waste of public tax dollars!'' 
 
 `` Easy. Easy now, Mr. Jenkins. We'll find your wife, do n't you worry. Now, the ransom... well it's a lot of money Mr. Jenkins. How much is it you make at that job of yours as a... What are you again?'' 
 
 `` Software engineer. I'm a programmer.'' 
 
 `` Riiiiiight, a computer guy. And what do you make in a year? On average?'' 
 
 `` I dunno... I make a little over a hundred thousand.'' 
 
 Is this guy serious? What, is he going to ask for my taxes next? None of this is finding Nicole! 
 
 `` So, paying the ransom is probably out of the question then. I wonder why they ever thought you had access to that kind of money?'' 
 
 `` Well, Nicole's parents are wealthy.'' 
 
 `` Oh? How wealthy?'' 
 
 `` I do n't know, I never asked. I just know they made a lot of money on Google back in the aughts.'' 
 
 `` So did you ask the parents about paying the ransome before contacting us?'' 
 
 `` No, I just called the police.'' 
 
 `` I'm confused here, Mr. Jenkins...'' 
 
 Why did he stop recording? 
 
 ``... would n't you want pay the ransom and get Nicole back? I mean if you're the innocent upstanding citizen you claim to be, why not just call mommy and daddy for the money? Seems like you have a much better chance of getting your wife back if you just pay.'' 
 
 You son of a bitch, Howard. 
 
 `` Coming to the police, well... That's tempting fate there. With mixed results.'' 
 
 My body feels like ice, I lean over the side of my chair and release what's left of my dinner onto the floor. 
 
 `` Now that's an interesting reaction for an innocent man to have, Mr. Jenkins. Would n't you say?'' 
 
 `` What do you want?'' I say wiping the vomit from my chin. 
 
 `` Oh Mr. Jenkins, it's not what I want. But what you want to do is go home and call those rich fucking parents that you lucked into and tell them to buy back their goddamn daughter!'' 
 
 I stare as spittle from Howard's mouth strikes my face. I stare deep into his eyes and feel my temples pulse as helpless rage courses through my body. My gaze is total, I see the stubble on his chin, the cracks in his lips, the way his tie hangs noose-like around his neck. I see myself in the reflection of his eyes. My mouth is dry and coated with vomit. I am weak. I have lost. 
 
 `` What's it going to be Jenkins? You going to help us out like a good boy or you wan na be a widower?'' 
 
 I shake my head in the tiniest of nods. 
 
 `` Good boy. Now get the fuck out of here and if you even think of getting any smart ideas in that clever head of yours... Well, you know.'' 
 
 The door behind me opens and I am dragged out of the room by two cops. I hear Howard call from behind me, 
 
 `` You'd better hurry, she ca n't wait forever!'' 
 
 I'm handed off to another officer who escorts me through the station and tosses me to the ground outside. I look up and see him standing at the entrance of the police station shooting me a shitty grin. 
 
 Water stains my cheeks as I think of all the ways I'd retaliate but ca n't because of cowardice and lack of ability. It's clear now more than ever that I am no hero. 
 
 I look at my watch, it's close to 2am, Nicole's parents are asleep. Unaware of what's happened to their only child, and now I'm on my way to wake them. 
 
 The streets are empty. With no taxis to hail or cars to steal I start running towards their house.
