"We can't file a report unless it's been 24 hours," the cop reminded Jack.
"I know, I've seen cop shows but this is different!" Jack ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. When he hadn't gotten through to Kate all day he stupidly thought she was still mad and being petty. When she missed Aaron's game, he knew something was off.
"Let me ask you, Doctor: would your wife have reason to run off?"
"What are you insinuating?"
"Pretty wife like that, could have another man on the side…"
"Not Kate. She's pregnant."
"We see that, you know? A baby adding pressure… maybe an affair? Or maybe she ran off with someone?"
"Kate didn't run anywhere," Jack said through clenched teeth.
"Wasn't she a fugitive? Sounds like a runner to me…"
"Look," Jack sighed. "Investigate me all you want. Make me your prime suspect, I don't care. But find my wife. She's missing. Just find her," his voice crackled as he tried not to cry in front of the cop.
"I'll do everything in my power to find her. Did she have any enemies?"
"No. None. No one would hurt my wife."
The cop flipped his notebook shut. "I'll be in touch, Doctor Shepard." The cop hadn't even made it down the driveway when Jack ran after him.
"Wait!" Jack took a moment to catch his breath when he caught up with him. "There was someone my wife was suspicious of. An employee of mine…"
It was days before Jack heard back from the cop. Days that Robin wasn't at work, something Jack tried to pretend was nothing more than a coincidence. He'd driven by the apartment building she'd listed as her address. Her name wasn't on any of the intercoms. No one had seen her. The realization hit Jack hard. Kate hadn't been hormonal, she'd been right. And he didn't believe her.
"When is Mommy coming home? I want my mommy!" Aaron wailed, fresh tears building in his eyes.
"Mommy went to take care of her sick friend. But we'll celebrate when she's home," Jack assured the child.
"Daddy—" his words were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Jack opened the door to find the same cop from a few days earlier. "You found her?" He asked, his eyes wide and hopeful.
"I'm 'fraid not. But we got a break in the case. Can I come in?" Jack opened the door and stepped back, letting him come through.
"Hey, Buddy? Why don't you go in your room and build the biggest block tower you can? See if you can use every block."
"Okay, Daddy!" Aaron ran down the hall, momentarily distracted.
"Turns out your employee, Robin knows Kate."
"Kate would have—"
"It doesn't appear your wife knew her. Robin was romantically involved with Kate's stepfather, who she… we believe Robin blames her for Wayne's death. We're on the lookout for her."
"What can I do?" Jack asked, growing impatient.
"Be prepared. After the first—"
"I know the statistics, Officer. I need to help. I'll do anything to bring Kate home."
"Just take care of your son and hope for the best. I wish I had better news."
"Thanks," Jack gruffed. It was killing him, the guilt. The panic. The dread. Even if they found Kate, what kind of state would she be in? What had Robin done to her? What was her plan once she had Kate? More than anything, Jack thought back to the late nights when he'd helped Robin. How could he forget his main priority? How could he have hired Robin? With a sigh, Jack wondered what he'd done. This was all his fault.