September was coming quickly. Trees exposed their secret colors of orange, red and yellow. The skies were often gray in the fall in the UK. Sky’s driver had arrived at Joe’s and Kate’s on time. Both Neve and Maeva slept most of the way back. She slightly opened the window once they were on the dirt roads towards the domain. The mingled smell of the humid earth, the wet grass and moss was inebriating. There definitely was a rotten smell to the city, even if her in-laws lived in a suburb. Maeva was releived Yvonne had the house back in order for them. She was so grateful for her constant help.
 
The investigator had contacted her a few times while she was at Joe’s. He inquired about the security cameras. There was nothing for her to tell him. She had looked at the footage. You could see Sky walking to the stable, but the feed started to garble up after, and it was impossible to see if he ever came out. There was some interference just at that moment. Bizarre. The coat man said they had their team working on it. She hoped they could clear it up. She was surprised he didn’t ask about her closing the cameras and then opening then again. She did not offer the information.
 
She was happy to settle back in her home. Neve was so excited to see Yvonne and the dogs. The dogs had really missed her. Dogo seemed to have slowed down some. He was not dealing well with his master being away.
 
“Yvonne? Has he been like this the whole time we were gone?”
 
“I’m afraid so Mrs. Maeva. He misses Mr. Sky. As we all do.”, Yvonne started to weep. Maeva took her in her arms, hugged her firmly. Yvonne held on to Maeva as if she was holding on to dear life. “He is like a son to me, he was my son. Twenty years with him, as his helper, maid, cook. How can I continue?”, she kept on weeping. Maeva felt dry. She felt she had cried all the tears her body could produce. She just continued holding on to Yvonne until the older lady’s sobs quieted down.
 
“Neve needs you. She is his legacy to us all. You will stay on and be with us. You will see her grow and become a young lady and live her life. If Sky does not return…he will be looking over her.”, Maeva looked at Yvonne and dried her tears with her hand. A soft gesture.
 
“You will? You will keep me on? And also, Victor?”
 
“For sure. Victor also. We are staying right here all together. This is what Sky wants, I am sure. We are a family.”.
 
“Do you think Sky passed?”, Yvonne was full of fright, eye opened as if she had seen a ghost.
 
“I have no idea. I am not sure. But I can’t feel him and that feels strange. Usually, even if we are away from each other, I still feel him, somewhere, somehow. I can’t explain this feeling. I have not felt it, ever. That scares me so much.”
 
Maeva’s first night back at the farmhouse was not an easy one. She first fell asleep in Neve’s nursery as to make sure she would not feel bad for being left alone to sleep. She had slept in the same room with her mom while staying at Joe’s. She was startled up by Sky’s voice calling her name. She realised it was a dream, but it seemed so real. She decided to go in their room, but her pyjamas on and tried to sleep in their bed. She hoped she would feel closer to him. She exchanged her pillow for his. She burrowed her face in it. It smelled like him. She cried herself to sleep, to again wake up startled. His voice calling her name. Not being able to sleep anymore, she checked on Neve who was still sleeping and went to make herself a coffee. It was too early for Yvonne to be there. The dogs were happy to have her around, but  Dogo didn’t move. He stayed in his bed, looking at her with his sad eyes. She took her coffee with her in the lounging room and bent down to caress his head softly. She knew how he felt. He was old, she was certain he would pass away soon if Sky didn’t return. She opened the door to the back garden to let the dogs out.
 
“Dogo, come on my dog. Come on now! You like to go sniff around. Dogo?”, the dog just looked at her with the same sad eyes. She looked at it sadly, closed the door and went to sit in front of the windows that gave a view of the stables path. She stared at it, drinking her coffee. ‘Where are you Sky? How can you do this to me, over and over again? I don’t want to give in to Joe’s bad opinion of you, to the rumors about you. That is not how I know you. Why Sky? Why?’. She could see the spruces and pines changing progressively lighter. The sun was passing the horizon on the east side. The front of farmhouse faced South and the back and the garden faced north. They never received any direct sunlight in their front and back windows, but the side ones were huge and transferred enough light and heat. She looked at Dogo again. He was receiving some warm rays. His eyes were close. After turning on the tele to Neve’s monitor to check on her, Maeva laid her head back and also closed her eyes. Yvonne’s arrival woke her up from a dream state.
 
“Mrs. Maeva? Sorry I woke you up. Good morning. Coffee?”, she asked getting the kitchen ready, putting away the dishes Maeva left on the counter, wiping everything, and turning to the coffee machine to see that the milk was in already. She understood Maeva had gotten herself a coffee. “Coffee?”, she repeated.
 
“Yes, why not. Mine is cold now and I need to wake up and stay up.”, Maeva said yawning.
 
“Hard night?”, asked Yvonne, concerned.
 
“Very. I keep having the same dream. I keep hearing Sky call me.”, she said slowly, still yawning.
 
“Did the sound come from outside?”, asked Yvonne, hopeful for a minute.
 
“No. No. It definitely was a dream.”, Yvonne brought her coffee. “Thank you so much Yvonne.”, said Maeva talking the cup in her hand. Yvonne took the other cup to the kitchen. “I can feel myself getting disappointed and mad at Sky. I can’t believe he has left me again. He made all those promises that he would leave only when necessary, that I would follow him on location, that he would stay in contact. He broke them all. And now here we are, not having a clue what happened to him.”, she looked at Yvonne who was stunned.
 
“But doesn’t that make you realize that this was probably out of his control, like all the other things that hindered him from keeping his promises?’, she looked at Maeva, a little flustered by what Maeva had said.
 
“You are probably right. I don’t know anymore. I am lost and I miss him so much and I am also disappointed, so disappointed that he has left. And this time, he also left his child. My heart is broken; it’s shattered in million tiny pieces. I will never be able to put myself back together.”, Maeva said all this with a flat affect. Yvonne thought that Maeva’s behavior did not seem to correspond with the feelings she was describing. She just looked numb. Maeva was looking at the tele, at Neve sleeping peacefully. Yvonne went back to the kitchen, occupying herself with prepping the breakfast and lunch. Maeva continued looking out into nothingness, drinking coffee. They sat down for breakfast when Neve woke up. Yvonne tried to keep things jovial, and Maeva was smiling and talking to her daughter as much as she could, but Yvonne noted to herself that Maeva’s eyes looked strange. Maeva always had that twinkle in her black doe eyes.  It was gone.
 
 
A few hours later, the doorbell rang. The famous man in the trench coat wanted to speak to Maeva. It looked like official police matter. He was his usual self and had two police officer with him. Yvonne felt a chill go through her. Maeva was upstairs in the office. Yvonne used the intercom.
 
“Mrs. Maeva? The investigator is here wanting to talk to you.”, she said. Maeva got up and went down to see him at the door.
 
“Good morning, Mr. Investigator. Was your search successful?”, asked Maeva.
 
“Good morning, Mrs. Hawthorne. No, nothing new. I am here to ask you to come to the Police Station. We have some questions to ask you.”, he said. Police officers were standing behind him.
 
“Your can ask your questions here. Come in.”, Maeva invited him in.
 
“We would prefer to have a conversation with you at the station, Mrs. Hawthorne.”, He said in an official tone.
 
“Please wait. I will be calling my lawyer.”, Maeva closed the door in the coat man’s face. She looked for her new cell and called Gerald.
 
“What’s up Maeva?”, he always answered her on the first ring.
 
“They are asking me to go to the police station for questioning.”, she said panicked.
 
“They are doing their job Maeva. But you can request to be questioned at home as you can’t leave your child. But then, you are letting them in your home. They will all come in and roam around, observing. They can request to go to the restroom and get lost, as you see in movies.”, said Gerald.
 
“They already searched the place. What is your advice?”, Maeva was wondering what to do.
 
“I will meet you at the station.”
 
“Can they keep me long? Can they arrest me?”
 
“They want your alibi officially on the record, they will be recording the interview.”
 
“You know I was in the kitchen. We were all waiting for Sky to eat supper. Yvonne was also waiting.”, said Maeva.
 
“So, they will verify your alibi and cannot keep you without any evidence. I will meet you there. You can leave Yvonne with Neve, right? Oh, and Maeva?”, he paused.
 
“Yes.”, she waited.
 
“I am your lawyer. You retained me. You have to be truthful with me. I will not be able to defend you if you omit or, lie to me, OK? What you tell me will always be confidential and I will never doubt what you tell me.”, he slowly said.
 
“That goes without saying. I don’t lie. And I won’t omit.”, she said. “OK, I will meet you there.” 
 
 
The investigator opened the door of the car for her and one of the police officers tried to touch her to guide her head in, she pulled away really quickly and just looked at them. The investigator held both hands up and signaled for no police officer to touch her. Once at the station, they made her go in from the back door. They had her sit alone into a room with a bare table and chair. There was a huge two-way mirror which she looked at it with a neutral look, wondering who was watching her. After a few minutes, Gerald came in. He also looked at the two-way mirror and greeted anyone behind it.
 
“Good morning, Maeva. Are you OK? Were you hurt or touched in any way?”, he asked.
 
“No.”, that’s all she said. “Ok. Please answer truthfully to all questions. If I lift my hand up, refrain from saying anything, even if you started to answer the question, OK?”, he held her gaze for a few second.
 
“Got it.”, she said. They both knew they were being observed so they just sat silent until the man with the coat came. He still had his trench coat on which Maeva thought was so stereotypical. She felt like she wasn’t in the room. She was watching herself in a movie. This was a perfect scenario.
 
“Good morning, Maeva, Gerald.”, he said.
 
“It is Mrs. Hawthorne to you, Mr. Investigator.”, Maeva was quick to reply, setting an hostile atmosphere from the beginning.
 
“Are you a newbie? No investigator calls a witness by their first name in an interview. It is also Mr. Abbott to you.”, said Gerald matter-of-factly.
 
“I stand corrected, Mr. Abbott. Mrs. Hawthorne.”, the investigator said, breathing impatiently.
 
“Is my client being arrested?”, asked Gerald, knowing real well the answer was negative, but he wanted to establish this fact from the beginning. It would serve two purposes; calm Maeva, and set the interviewer to have a less accusatory tone.
 
“No. definitely not. We only have a few questions. We are doing what you asked us to do Mrs. Hawthorne. We are doing our job. As you were the last person to see Mr. Hawthorne, we need to have an official discussion with you to obtain all the details you probably did not have when we spoke to you last as you were in shock. Now that some time as passed, you might have some more information, or details for us. Can we start, Mrs. Hawthorne?”, he seemed to have changed personality suddenly. An officer came in with some water bottles for all and he left, the door slamming shut. The coat man took a small recorder from his coat pocket, placed in on the table.
 
Interviewer: It is 11:37, June 2nd, 2020. First Interview with Mrs. Maeva Hawthorne. Mr. Gerald Abbott, lawyer is present. Mrs. Hawthorne, can you give me your date of birth, please?”
 
Person Of Interest: January 31, 1965.
 
INT: What is your matrimonial status?
 
POI: Married to Mr. Skylord Finnegan Hawthorne.
 
INT: Do you know where Mr. Hawthorne is right now?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: When did you see him last?
 
POI: Three weeks ago, on Wednesday.
 
INT: Did you speak to him since then?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: Where did you see him last?
 
POI: Walking down the path towards the stables at our farhouse.
 
INT: Do you know why he was going there?
 
POI: He was going to quickly check on the new horse he purchased.
 
INT: Why do you say ‘quickly’?
 
POI: Because we were sitting down for supper and we were waiting for him. We told him that.
 
INT: Who is “we”?
 
POI: Neve, Yvonne and I.
 
INT: Who is Yvonne?
 
POI: She takes care of our household.
 
INT: Do you have any other employees on the domain?
 
POI: Yes.
 
INT: How many employees do you have?
 
POI: Ten, with Yvonne.
 
INT: Can you name them for me and add their job titles?
 
POI: Yvonne, House Caretaker and Cook, Victor, Team Leader and Gardener, Johnnie, Stable Caretaker, Liam, Barns Caretaker, Jack, Security Agent and Driver, Jonie, Security Agent and Driver, Gus, Land Caretaker, Grant, Horse Trainer. We also have 2 part-time workers to replace the stables and barns caretakers when the they are off for weekends, holidays or sick days.
 
INT: Do they all live on the domain?
 
POI: No. Yvonne and Victor live in a guest house. Johnnie and Liam take turns living in the attic of the stables.
 
INT: Do any of them live at the farmhouse on occasion?
 
POI: Apart from the animals caretakers, only Yvonne if she needs to babysit Neve on special occasions, when she works late, or needs to be in early.
 
INT: Who were sleeping the farmhouse on the night Mr. Hawthorne disappeared?
 
POI: Sky, Neve and I.
 
INT: Who was on the domain on the day before Mr. Hawthorne disappeared?
 
POI: It was a regular day. Everyone, but Jonie and the part-time workers.
 
INT: So only one security?
 
POI: Yes.
 
INT: What does the security guy do? On a regular day?
 
POI: He uses a 4-wheeler to tour the entire domain. Checks on the beach, checks on the condition of the fences and gates. He can also go into the surrounding forest if needed. He sometimes drives Sky around for errands, could be the driver picking up us or our families from the airport or if we have outings.
 
INT: Does he follow Mr. Hawthorne everywhere he goes?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: Precisely, what does Yvonne do?
 
POV: She keeps the kitchen and all the common areas in order, prepares coffee, tea and all meals. She orders the groceries and all cleaning supplies. She does the wash, ironing, keeps our closets in order, she will take care of Neve on a need’s basis.
 
INT: Did you talk to Mr. Hawthorne before he left to check on the horse?
 
POI: Yes.
 
INT: What was in your conversation?
 
POI: It was not a conversation. He said he was quickly going to check on the horse. I said not to be long as the supper was ready to be served.
 
INT: What are the Land Caretaker’s tasks?
 
POI: I am not fully aware of that. Victor would know better, but I do know he will repair fences and all the building, if they need it.
 
INT: Was does the Stables Caretaker do?
 
POI: Same answer. You should ask Victor. He takes care of all that has to do with horses.
 
INT: Was does the Barns Caretaker do?
 
POI: Same answer. All that has to to with the barn animals.
 
INT: What did Mr. Hawthorne do on the domain?
 
POI: Everything. He had his hands on everything when he was there. He usually went around the land on horseback and help, whenever it was needed or if he felt like it.
 
INT: What did you do Mrs. Hawthorne?
 
POI: A bit of everything. But mostly took care of my daughter. I am a writer, I work mostly in the office in the attic.
 
INT: Is the office used by you or by Mr. Hawthorne?
 
POI: Both of us use it.
 
INT: Do you know where Mr. Hawthorne’s computer is?
 
POI: Somewhere in the house. Surely, where he last left it.
 
INT: Do you know where his cell phone is?
 
POI: On him. He always had it with him.
 
INT: Did he have it with him when he left for the stables?
 
POI: I would assume so.
 
INT: Do you have Mr. Hawthorne’s cell phone?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: Did you find his cell phone after he left to the stables?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: How would you describe your relationship with Mr. Hawthorne?
 
POI: Wonderful.
 
INT: That is an answer we never get. D0 you consider it a normal relationship?
 
POI: I don’t know what you mean by normal. We love each other.
 
INT: Did you fight before he went to the stables?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: Do you fight often?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: Did Mr. Hawthorne ever hit you?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: Did you ever hit him?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: Are you aware of any time Mr. Hawthorne had a fight with someone?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: Is there anyone that would want to hurt Mr. Hawthorne?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: Did anyone ever try to hurt Mr. Hawthorne?
 
POI: I am not aware of Sky’s past experiences. Someone tried to kidnap his daughter at the hospital when she was just born.
INT: Does Mr. Hawthorne have a personal assistant?
 
POI: Yes.
 
INT: What is her name?
 
POI: Jessica Surrey.
 
INT: Do you know where she lives?
 
POI: In London, somewhere.
 
INT: How is the relationship between Mr. Hawthorne and Jessica Surrey?
 
POI: Good.
 
INT: How is Mr. Hawthorne as a boss?
 
POI: Kind, detailed-oriented and understanding.
 
INT: Do fans come to the domain to meet him?
 
POI: No.
 
INT: So you live in paradise, it seems Mrs. Hawthorne.
 
POI: Is this a question?
 
INT: NO, I will need a few minutes. Wait here, please.
 
 
Maeva and Gerald looked at each other. He signed for them not to talk.
“How is Neve?”, he asked.
 
“Great, she is a wonder child. She keeps me sane throughout all the craziness.”, Maeva answered.
 
“We can speak longer when we leave. The detective is probably verifying your alibi; it can take some time. You have answered enough questions, I believe. I advise not to accept any more questions unless I tell you otherwise, OK?”, Gerald warned. Maeva nodded, looking at the two-way mirror, breathing impatiently.
 
“Can we go home before they tell us we can?”
 
“It would preferable not to, but you are not under arrest. So, you could.”, Gerald said, looking at the time. “I will let you know when I find they are exaggerating how long they keep you here. Sometimes, refusal to stay, means refusing to answer questions and hindering the investigation. You do not want that.”, he informed her.
 
She put her head down on the table and closed her eyes. The coat man came in ten minutes later.
 
“Ok, Mrs. Hawthorne, You are free to go. Please stay in town. If you absolutely need to travel, let us now.
 
“I will.”, Maeva got up. So did Gerald.
 
“Thank you, Detective. Please go through me for anything related to Mrs. Hawthorne. Here is my card.”, he said politely. The detective opened the door for them and watched them go until they turned towards the door.
 
 
Gerald unlocked his car doors. Maeva got in. He took the time to put his suitcase in the trunk and he took off his jacket placing it on the back seat. He sat behind the wheel and looked at her.
 
“Are you good? Do you need to stop for water, coffee? Food?”, he asked obviously concerned.
 
“No, I just want to get home.”, she closed her eyes, trying to sleep. The drive back was silent for awhile.
 
“Why did he ask all these questions about the farm employees?”, she asked him.
 
“That interview was total textbook. They always investigate those closest to the individual. They always ask about any bad blood with the victim. Employees are known to have disagreements with their employer. Marriages are known to be less than perfect. This is what they look at first. They also ask each person for an alibi. He wasn’t specific about the time, so I guess he is sure about that. He also didn’t ask questions about the hospital incident. He must have read the report of the incident.”, Gerald said.
 
“But she could be involved in this. We don’t know as we haven’t heard anything about her in a long time.”, said Maeva.
 
“I doubt it, she was at a psychiatric facility, last I heard. Forget about these things Maeva. I doubt there is foul play here.”, Maeva stayed silent for awhile.
 
“I agree you know. I hang on to my first impression. For some reason I don’t understand, he got on that horse, bareback. The stallion did not know the landscape. It didn’t see the cliffs in front. How could it?”
 
“Well wouldn’t Sky know to stop him or, at least throw himself off the horse before it fell?”, Gerals was thinking out loud.
 
“I believe so, but we weren’t there. First the horse was wild and second, he was bareback. You only have the horse’s mane to direct it. Furthermore, apart for the knees that tighten on the horse’s rump, the mane would be the only other thing he could hold on to. All the saddles were accounted for. I checked saddles and all the accessories.”, she added.
 
“Didn’t you say that you checked the shore and right below the cliffs?”, Gerald asked.
 
“Yes, I did. Victor and I checked. We went down there but, it was high tide, and we couldn't see anything, even from above.”
 
“Well, if they both fell, the horse and him, there would have been sprawled on the rocks below or, …”, he realized how graphic a picture he was making for her. It was her husband, after all.
 
“There was nothing. The waves, their strength…. they can brake boats, rocks and high tide does not give anyone or anything, a chance. I threw a dead bird I found at the rocks below. It didn’t even have time to bleed on the rocks, and it was already gone, taken by a crashing wave and pulled into the depth of the ocean. There is a huge riptide in that area.”, she said. Her tone was neutral. Trying to keep her cool.
 
‘If that is the case, you will never have closure. Neither will the detective.”