IN AN INSTANT

IN AN INSTANT
Friday, December 27, 2019 by TRACY WAINWRIGHT

Categories: Friday's Fiction

PLEASE WELCOME

TRACY WAINWRIGHT

FLASH FICTION FRIDAY

AN EXCERPT FROM IN AN INSTANT

A demanding voice broke through Terrence’s concentration.

“I don’t care if your policy says to wait forty-eight hours. I want someone to help me look for my wife.”

He glanced up from the stack of paperwork to the man berating the front desk clerk. Late twenties, he guessed. About five foot ten, dark blond hair, fit. Probably worked with his hands, judging from the calluses visible on his palms from across the room. The man’s face shone beet red, and he glared at the poor rookie. Jack turned from the angry man and met Terrence’s gaze. He raised his eyebrows and widened his eyes.

Terrence groaned, handed the file he’d been flipping through to Officer Clark, and sauntered over. The distraught man shifted his gaze to meet his straight on. Terrence ignored the pain reflected in the man’s eyes. Anyone could fake emotion.

“What’s the problem, sir?” He steadied his voice, exuding calm instead of the irritation bubbling inside. The best way to get someone to placidity was to lead them there.

The man spoke through clenched teeth. “My…wife…is…missing. I want someone to help me find her.”

“OK. Let’s start with the basics. What’s your name?”

“Luke Montgomery. My wife’s name is Julie.”

He held the man’s challenging stare. Mr. Montgomery refocused the conversation off himself and back to his wife. Interesting. Most missing wife cases turned out to be the husband. Deflection could be a cover. “OK. Your wife is missing. How long has she been gone?”

“About two hours.”

He blinked several times instead of rolling his eyes as he wanted. Montgomery’s wife probably decided to take a long breakfast with a girlfriend or do some early morning Christmas shopping. The possibilities were endless.

“Two hours? She could be anywhere, passing time, goofing off with a friend.” He took a deep breath. “Give her some more time. She’ll show up, and you’ll laugh about it over turkey in a couple weeks.”

Terrence turned to leave, but a hand gripped the sleeve of his uniform, spinning him back around. Heat seared through his veins. “Remove your hand, sir.”

Tears pooled in the man’s eyes, throwing Terrence off balance. He stepped back, and Mr. Montgomery let go of his shirt. “You don’t get it.” Mr. Montgomery raked his fingers through his hair. “She should be at work. Her car’s where she always parks it. She’s as reliable as a clock. She’s missing, and I know every minute ticking by means the chances of finding her diminishes.”

Terrence’s blood cooled to a simmer. He glanced at Jack and met sympathy in the young cop’s eyes. Great. This guy wasn’t going away until someone talked to him. “All right, Mr. Montgomery. Why don’t we get some coffee, sit down, and tell me about your wife.”

ABOUT IN AN INSTANT

The Clock is Ticking...
Julie Montgomery left for work but never arrived. Her husband, Luke, reports her disappearance, but Officer Terrence Cooper isn't convinced anything's amiss. As he looks into the case, he discovers that not only are Luke Montgomery's fears warranted, but that Julie had been hiding a dark secret.

Julie vanished in an instant. By the time Terrence unravels the truth, will it be too late to get her back?

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Suzanne-Redfearn-ebook/dp/B07NVD12

ABOUT TRACY WAINWRIGHT

Tracy Wainwright has always loved reading but didn’t become a writer until she was almost 30. Words became an outlet for her through a trying time, grabbed hold of her, and never let go. She writes in a variety of genres – from picture books to Bible studies to mysteries – and has been traditionally and self-published. Tracy works her writing between and around raising and homeschooling four children, squeezing in time for her hubby, and now entertaining their first family dog. She always has her hands in multiple ministries and enjoys speaking to church women and writers’ groups. To cope with a very full, blessed life, she is forever working on perfecting naptime.

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