Nick sat at the breakfast table, shooting off text messages to Denise, ensuring that Lesley's surprise birthday setup was going as planned.
Nick: Hey Denise! Were you able to pick up Lesley's birthday cake?
Denise: Hey, Nick. Yes, I got the vanilla cream cake filled with strawberries. Yum :)
Nick: Awesome! We'll see you tonight at The Thai Room for dinner.
Denise: Be there or Be square ;-)
Earlier in the week, Nick had inquired with Lesley about her weekend plans, ensuring she was available for an intimate dinner on Saturday evening. Informing her of his intentions to celebrate her birthday romantically with just the two of them, concealing the fact that he had invited three of her closest friends along with their realtor, Jackie, and her husband, Charles.
Things had been calm over the last several days, causing curiosity to creep within Nick. He wondered if Lesley was hiding something from him as she didn't mention anything about Leah Meyers, which Nick found unusual. He didn't know if he should be worried or not.
Lesley strolled downstairs with the strap of her camera hanging from her shoulder. She had decided against discussing Leah Meyers with Nick from that day forward. She knew she had to grapple with her demons and cope with the haunting memories that were held within her. While she appreciated Nick's concern, she felt it was something she had to face on her terms, especially since Nick was ready to deem hers as psychotic, or so she thought.
"I'm going out to take some practice photos, Nick." Lesley began, "I need to prep before I get my photography business back up and running." she explained while opening up the fridge, and retrieving a cold water bottle. Twisting off the cap, she took a swig. The refreshing coldness trailing down her throat.
A sense of shock wavered through Nick's body. He didn't think Lesley was mentally or emotionally prepared to start her photography business back up after all she had been through.
However, he secretly felt a sense of relief and happiness that Lesley was seemingly returning to her old self. But he found himself grappling with conflicting emotions and didn't know whether he should feel guilty about his feelings.
Regardless, he would support Lesley in reopening her photography business. After all, it was essential to her healing process.
Maybe this is a step in the right direction. Nick thought.
As Nick pondered on Lesley's photography exhibition, a knock at their front door startled him.
Who could that be? He thought.
"I'll answer it!" Lesley called out as she made her way from the kitchen to the entryway of their home. Placing her eyes into the peephole, she gazed out of the front door. Standing on the porch was Jackie.
Lesley quickly unlocked the door, opening it up. A swift breeze ventured through, stroking Lesley's face.
"Hi, Jackie!" she smiled, "Come on inside." Lesley stepped back, gesturing for Jackie to step into their home.
"Hi, Lesley. I didn't mean to bother you." Jackie smiled, revealing her pristine white teeth, "I just wanted to check in on you and see how you're doing?"
Jackie shifted her weight from one leg to the other.
"I'm doing a lot better," Lesley fibbed, forcing a small smile. "Taking it one day at a time, though."
"I'm glad to hear!" Jackie threw her arms around Lesley, wrapping her in a warm embrace, "I was so concerned about you." Jackie's face softened, her eyes filled with compassion.
Deep down, Lesley knew she wasn't being entirely truthful with Jackie or Nick, for that matter. She wanted to shield everyone from the plans she had drafted in her mind- to find out what happened to Leah Meyers. And she certainly didn't want Jackie to find out she had ventured out into the forest alone, searching for Leah. Lesley feared Jackie might use it against her, so she kept it hidden and hoped Nick would, too.
Lesley offered Jackie to come inside their home. Jackie obliged. They stepped into the kitchen.
"Would you like a cup of coffee or water?" Lesley offered, but Jackie declined.
"I hope I'm not pestering you," Jackie smiled nervously, "However, a few of the town's residents called me. They're majorly concerned about you, Lesley."
Jackie's eyes drifted down to the hardwood floors, "There's a rumor circulating town that you helped the police department locate Leah Meyer's body."
Lesley gasped, "What?!" she couldn't believe her ears.
Jackie's eyes returned, gazing into Lesley's as she tried to ascertain Lesley's emotions before she explained further.
"I was told that you knew where Leah's body was, and you directed the Arcaden Police to it." Jackie's signature eyebrows raised with a hint of seriousness, "Is that true?"
The room became eerie as Jackie's question hung in the air. The weight of its implications could be felt, venturing through the room like an invisible tornado. Her sharp gaze bore into Lesley's eyes, unyielding and determined.
Lesley shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of her stare. Beads of sweat formed on their forehead.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Lesley stammered, "I have no idea where Leah's body is."
But Jackie could sense that Lesley was hiding something. She leaned in, her voice lowering to a steely tone, "I wonder where everyone is getting this information from." Jackie's eyes widened as curiosity struck her.
The room seemed to close in around them as silence enveloped the air. Jackie's unwavering determination seemed to be testing Lesley's resolve.
Lesley shifted again, her eyes darting around as if seeking an escape.
Finally, with a heavy sigh, Lesley said defensively, "I honestly have no idea where Leah's body is. Or if there's even a body. But Leah did speak to me- she told me her name."
Jackie gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. "Did you actually see Leah?"
Lesley shook her head. "No, she just spoke to me, telling me her name was Leah Meyers."
Jackie's signature eyebrows remained raised, a mix of seriousness and anticipation etched on her face.
"Are you sure it was her, Lesley? Do you even know what she sounds like?" Jackie interrogated, "You've never even met her before." Jackie's position edged on defensiveness.
Lesley's eyes drifted to the tiled floor, "No, I don't. I- It was a young girl's voice. A teenager's voice." Lesley fidgetted with her fingers, "She told me adamantly that her name was Leah Meyers."
Nick overheard their conversation, and a wave of anger rose in his chest. Concerned and curious about Jackie's persistent questioning, especially on Lesley's birthday, he refused to let Jackie upset her. Rising from the couch, he made his way into the kitchen, where Jackie stood with Lesley.
This version smooths out the flow while keeping the tension and emotional impact intact."I'm only inquiring with you, Lesley, because the Meyers called me last night." Jackie started, "They were devastated when they heard you claimed to have found their daughter."
Lesley gasped, "I've never claimed anything, Jackie. Who's spreading those rumors?"
"Lesley, this is a small, quaint town. Everyone knows everyone. And right now, many of the town's residents are working up because of what you did. Please, no more playing investigator. Let the cops do their job." Jackie tried to come across as serious yet empathetic but sounded stern and displeased.
"Everyone, especially the Meyers, is pretty worked up right now, as I'm sure you can imagine," Jackie added.
Tension filled the room as Jackie processed this revealing information. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on both Jackie and Lesley.
"I don't know what to say." Lesley's voice was laced with sorrow, "I'm sorry, I was only trying to help."
"I understand," Jackie said with empathy and sternness, "But I need you to be honest with me. Are you one hundred percent sure that you heard a voice?"
Lesley's expression sullen, "I swear, Jackie, it's the truth. I heard her voice. Or the voice of a teenage girl. She was trying to tell me something."
Nick interrupted, "Jackie, Lesley's been through a lot over the past few weeks. I don't think she's ready to handle all of your questions."
"Alright," Jackie said firmly, "I understand she's been through a lot. I also think someone may be out there pretending to be Leah. Maybe some out-of-towner who heard about the case and decided to go around pranking people." she shrugged.
Lesley and Nick nodded their heads in unison.
"That's quite possible," Nick added.
Lesley could feel the heat of shame and embarrassment prickling at her face.
"And as for the Meyers, I'll talk to them." Jackie promised, "I'll try my best to get them to understand that you were only trying to help." she pursed her lips.
Lesley nodded, "Jackie, I honestly didn't mean any harm. Maybe you're right. It could've just been some prank." she shrugged, "But I find it odd that I saw a girl possibly drowning out there, and when I go back into the forest, the girl who did drown was speaking to me."
Jackie rubbed Lesley's back compassionately, "Have you been back to see Dr. Benson?"
Lesley grew frustrated. She was not returning to Dr. Benson and didn't care what anyone thought. She knew what she saw that day and was determined to get to the bottom of it.
***
Nick pulled open the door to The Thai Room, a popular restaurant in downtown Arcaden. With a steady walk, he made his way to the private dining area Denise had reserved for Lesley's surprise birthday party. As he entered the room, he saw Denise on a step stool, streaming pink balloons from the ceiling.
"Hey, Denise!" Nick waved enthusiastically, a smile spreading across his face as he fixed his eyes on the balloons, grateful that Denise remembered Lesley's favorite color was pink.
"Hi, Nick!" Denise replied as she shifted her head to gaze at him while she stood on the step stool.
"That's my husband over there." she pointed to a tall, bald man with a thin mustache who sat at the table, "His name is Gary."
Nick approached Gary and shook his hand, "Nice to meet you, Gary!" Nick greeted him with a firm shake, "I'm Nick."
Next, another friend of Lesley's popped in. She looked familiar, and Nick vaguely recalled her stopping by their residence a few times when they lived in New York.
The short woman with big brown eyes gazed into Nick's eyes while she walked hand-in-hand with a gentleman a few inches taller than her. She extended her arm, offering Nick a handshake, "Hi, I'm Jasmeen. We've probably met a few times before because you look familiar." She laughed slightly.
The tall gentleman firmly shook Nick's hand, "Hi, I'm Jasmeen's husband, Damien." The man smiled, revealing a mouthful of straight, pearly whites.
They both took their seats next to Denise and Gary.
Nick rubbed his hands together impatiently as he waited for Lesley to arrive. Peering down at his watch, he realized she was expected to arrive in ten minutes. He quickly stood up and clinked his wineglass with a spoon, "May I have everyone's attention, please!" He announced with a smile woven across his face.
The guests had stopped their chit-chatter, and the room quickly fell silent until Jackie and her husband walked in twenty minutes late.
"Hi, Nick!" Jackie waved as she quickly took a seat, "Sorry, we're late, everyone. I hope we're not holding up anything." Jackie smiled with glossy, apologetic eyes. Her husband followed directly behind her.
"Hey Jackie, you're just on time. Lesley's to arrive in ten minutes." Nick replied, gazing at Jackie's husband, "Is this your husband? I don't think we've ever met."
"Oh, sorry. Yes, this is my husband, Charles." Jackie smiled as she gestured toward Charles.
Charles waved his hand, "Nice to meet you, Nick."
"Likewise." Nick smiled.
Denise jumped out of her chair. "We only have two minutes before Lesley gets here!" she interrupted enthusiastically. "Let's dim the lights."
Denise hurriedly walked toward the door where the light switch was located on the wall. She flicked the switch, and the lights slowly dimmed, creating an intriguing and mysterious atmosphere.
Nick spotted the silhouette of Lesley's shadow. He brought his index finger up to his lips and whispered to the group, "Shh!"
Everyone stood still, like manikins in a store display case. No words were uttered, and the room fell silent.
Just as Lesley's blue high heel stepped into the room, the lights flickered on, and the roomful of guests threw their hands up and yelled, "Surprise!"
Lesley gasped, covering her mouth with her hand in shock.
She was startled by the overwhelming voices and abruptly stepped back, causing her high heel to slip off her foot. She nearly stumbled, but Nick rushed to her side with lightning speed. Before he could reach her, she grasped onto the wall, preventing herself from tumbling to the ground.
"Sorry, Les," Nick's lips curved down, "We didn't mean to scare you."
Lesley placed her hand on her clavicle and peered at everyone in the room. Smiles adorned their faces, instantly melting Lesley's fears away, replaced with an abundance of joy and happiness, resulting in butterflies swarming in her stomach and warmness enveloping her heart.
"This is for me?" Lesley smiled, "For my birthday?!" she asked with giddiness in her voice.
A smile grew on Nick's face, and he nodded, "Yes, Les! This is all for you."
A tear strolled down Lesley's cheek, "Oh my gosh! Thank you, everyone."
Their waitress, a middle-aged woman, entered the room, interrupting their discussion. Her eyes widened as they landed on Gary, "Councilman Jones! How are you?" the waitress smiled.
Lesley's heart flip-flopped against her chest.
Councilman Jones?!