Chapter Five

Avery Dexter and Hunter Conner, two detectives, arrive at a location that brings up a sad memory for Avery. There, he and his sister Mackenna spent a lot of time together when Avery was fifteen years old. Because Avery and Mackenna were still kids, they had been going there for years with their mother. This young man, who was in his mid-forties, had a mother with a disability, and Avery, Mackenna, and Emma would go to assist him clean the house and other things.

Avery and Mackenna were on summer vacation, but Emma had to bring the kids to work as helpers because she couldn't afford a nanny to monitor the kids. Hunter stood next to Avery and he asked him what this house reminded him of.

"This was the house my mother, my sister and I had all gone to. We had to help this man whose mother was disabled and he was just. He was not a very nice guy." Avery explained.

"Oh?" Hunter said.

Avery sighed and said, "I remember the day of that one time I saw the same van parked outside of my house and I saw the same van parked in the parking lot of that guy's house." Avery said.

"Okay? And what was this guy's name?" Hunter asked.

"Conrad Miller. He was in his mid forties and living with his mother. Apparently he told my mother that his mother had early dementia and she couldn't look after herself." Avery explained.

"Oh." Hunter said.

Avery nods his head no. "He was real jerk to my mother." Avery said.

Hunter nodded his head no and said, "He really was. He was a jerk to his mother too." Avery said.

"So uh, this guy. You said you saw a similar van parked out in the driveway?" Hunter wondered.

"Yeah. I mean I think I did. I wanted to ask him if he was spying on us. But he was so rude that he scared me." Avery explained.

"What makes you think that this guy may be the suspect?" Hunter asked.

"I mean I could be second guessing but I just don't want to put a label on it because I am not sure, Hunter," says Avery.

Hunter doesn't say another word this time. "But I think it's time for me to ask him since it's been nine years since I last saw him." Avery said.

"Then let's go and question him." Hunter said.

"What if he doesn't live there anymore?" Avery wondered.

"Then we will find him." Hunter said.

"Yeah," Avery said in a quiet voice.

"Come on. Let's go." Hunter said.

Both Avery and Hunter walked to Conrad Miller's house and Avery was a bit nervous to ask Conrad questions to Conrad. Hunter tried to confront his partner; there was nothing to worry about. After Avery knocked on the door, Connor walked up to the door and he opened the door. Connor noticed Avery standing in the doorway.

"Avery?" Conrad asked.

"We need to talk." Avery said.

Conrad sighed and didn't say another word. Avery swallowed hard and heard himself gulp. He was a bit nervous—but he had to question Conrad because Avery really did care about Emelia Joy.

Back at the 13th precinct, the 24-year-old NYPD officer and detective Avery Dexter, in the homicide unit, is overheard vomiting in the men's restroom by fellow police officers in the squad room, including his partner, Detective Hunter Connor, who is Avery's work associate. After exiting the restroom following the flushing of the toilet, Avery is observed wearing a casual men's flannel button-down shirt, a long-sleeve plaid jacket with pockets in grey, accompanied by a white undershirt. He is also seen putting on his brownish baseball cap after placing his NYPD detective badge necklace around his neck, with the badge facing his chest, as he enters the squad room.

Hunter informs Avery that everyone heard him vomiting, coughing, and gagging, remarking that he appeared unwell. Avery has relapsed in his sobriety and is coping with the grief of losing his 8-year-old sister, Mackenna Dexter, when he was just 15. Fast forward nine years—Avery is now 24 years old. He is currently investigating the case of Emelia Joy, an 8-year-old girl who was murdered in broad daylight in the woods. Avery and his partner, Hunter, engage in a discussion about the case, noting that Emelia Joy was killed in cold blood.

Avery informs Hunter that Emelia Joy fell victim to a murderer associated with a dark protest. Captain Jonson came out of her office and said, "Avery, Hunter. My office now." Avery walked towards Captain Jonson's office, including Hunter, Avery sighed.

Once Avery and Hunter were in Captain Jonson's office, Captain Jonson walked towards her desk, and eventually Avery began  discussing the situation of visiting Conrad Miller and how Avery told Captain Jonson that when he was fifteen years old he remembered seeing a van that was parked outside of Emelia Joy's home and he spotted driving around Central Park, is the same van he saw at Conrad Miller's house.

"And are you sure it's the same van?" Captain Jonson asked.

"Yeah. It's the same one, Captain. But Conrad said he didn't owe that van. It was a rental car where he was using it to drive for work because his car was going to be in the autoshop for a couple weeks." Avery explained.

"Wait? This van. He used it as a rental for work?" Captain Jonson.

"Yeah. But he said that he has never once gone to Central Park. He also said he doesn't get out much. He's more of an indoor guy than being outdoors." Hunter said this time.

"Okay." Captain Jonson.

Captain Jonson looked at Avery and he could tell he was not happy and looked a bit sick. Captain Jonson looked back at Hunter and she said, "Okay well uh, thank you gentleman. I'll let you two get back to work."

Avery and Hunter both turned around and before Avery was about to step out of the office, Captain Jonson said, "Avery, I need to have a word with you."

Hunter was the one who headed back to his desk after leaving Captain Jonson's office and Avery sighed as he shut the door before turning around and facing his boss. Avery didn't say a word.

"I know what's been going on with you." Captain Jonson said.

Avery nods his head no and shrugged his shoulders before he asked Captain Jonson what seemed to be going on with him.

"Avery, I'm your boss. When I know one of my detectives is going through a situation that concerns me, I have to ask them if they are okay." Captain Jonson said.

Avery sighed and didn't answer his boss. Today, every step felt like a battle. Aveey clutched a manila folder, the papers shaking due to the slight tremor in his hands. He caught a glimpse of himself, pale, with smudged eyes. He appeared less like a cop and more like a specter tormented by poor choices.

"What is going on with you, Avery?" Jonson voice was a deep rumble, not filled with anger, but heavy with significance. The office was a familiar scene of organized disorder. The air was infused with the scent of stale coffee and fresh paper. A different, sharper odor pierced through—the acrid smell of stomach acid and bile.

It was subtle, nearly imperceptible, yet Dexter detected it. He halted, his eyes drawn to the wastebasket beside the captain's desk. The plastic liner was taut, and a damp towel rested on the floor next to it. Dexter felt his own nausea rise. "Captain, I—"

"Don't," he interrupted, raising a hand. She avoided her gaze, concentrating instead on a file on her desk. "We have a long history, Dexter. I witnessed your college graduation. I was present when you received your gun and your badge. I can also recognize a bender when I encounter one. I heard you throwing up. I hear you throwing up ever morning." She lifted his gaze, her expression more weary than angry. "You and I have both traveled that path. But that was a decade ago for me. We have a murder case to address, Avery. Do you have any other information on that?" The file in her grasp suddenly felt burdensome. Avery nodded, his throat too parched to articulate a response. The captain exhaled, reaching for a bottle of water.

"Drink this. And go home to rest it off," she advised, her tone softening. "However, if you are not back at your desk in five hours, prepared to work, you can say goodbye to your gun and your badge," Captain Jonson said.

Avery nods his head understanding Captain Jonson. He doesn't say another word. "You're dismissed." Captain Jonson said. Avery turned around and he walked up to the door before opening it, then stepping out of Captain Jonson's office.

After Avery stepped out of the office, he walked back to his desk and laid down the file onto his desk and grabbed his leather jacket before putting on and Hunter asked Avery where he's going.

"Home. I'll be back in a little while." Avery said.

Hunter nods his head understanding what Avery just told him, and Avery leaves the squad room. Hunter watched Avery walk out of the squad room. He had to think for a moment and he went back to reading more cases.

Meanwhile, Avery was lying down on his bed and he was facing the ceiling looking all unhappy. Until the doorbell rings. Avery stood up and he walked out of his bedroom and headed to the living room before opening the door. After Avery opens the door, he sees his mother Emma standing outside the doorway.

"Mom?" Avery said.

"Can we talk?" Emma asked.

Avery sighed and said, "How did you—," Emma interrupted Avery.

"I found out where you lived on the internet." Emma said.

"So what do you like spying on me now?" Avery wondered.

Emma said, "I'm just here to clarify things. Can you please come out." Emma said.

"I'm fine right here." Avery said, leaning against the door frame.

"Okay." Emma said.

Emma went all quiet for a minute before Avery asked what she wanted.

Emma nodded her head and said, "You know you're gonna have to start talking to me at some point." Avery chuckled and said, "Why?" Avery was angry. Avery looked at his mother with a furious expression on his face. "Avery? You do realize that your father was a good man. Always has been ever since you were born." Emma said.

"What?" Avery said, furiously.

"He was Avery." Emma said.

Avery nodded his head and said, "Mom? If he was such a good dad than why did he rape me?" Avery said. Emma sighed and said, "Because I don't think he would ever see himself as a child molester." Emma said. "Oh wow. You did not just tell me that." Avery said, chuckling.

"It's true, Avery. Your father was always a good guy. You just don't see that anymore." Emma said, beginning to get tensed.

"Because he raped me, mom!" Avery shouted angrily. "You are still defending him!" Avery said, angrily.

Emma took a deep breath and said, "Avery, you are just being paranoid!" Emma said, angrily.

"What? You think I would lie over someone being raped?" Avery shouted, turning his whole body at his mother.

Emma rolled her eyes and said, "You are only imagining it! Your father was a good man!" Emma shouted.

"No, what?" Avery said, chuckling.

"Do you honestly think that your father would do this to you?" Emma asked.

Avery sighed and said, "Oh so you came all the way down here to tell me that dad is still a good guy!" Avery shouted.

Avery and Emma continued to argue. "Yes!" shouted Emma.

Avery said, "Oh my gosh, mom! You are just as pathetic as Alex is!" Avery said.

"Don't talk to me about him! You are the reason why Alex left and ran away from home!" Emma shouted.

"Wha—," Emma interrupted Avery.

"Avery! Your father is not a molester!" Emma shouted. "This is all your fault!" Emma continued arguing with Avery, and getting angrier.

Avery chuckled and laughed while his mother continued to accuse her son about his father. "You are so pathetically ignorant, Avery! You just wanted to have Mackenna not get involved with this, because you were too stupid to even believe that your father was a rapist!" Emma shouted.

"Don't tell me about my sister!" Avery said, angrily.

"What? What are you gonna do? Because Avery you need to grow up! Your father and I are getting back together again. He's been out of prison for a while and I don't want you anywhere near me, your brother or your father," Emma said, angrily.

Avery chuckled and he was in shock by what his mother had said to him about getting back together with his dad. "I hope you know that you're the one who made our lives miserable." Emma said.

"I can't do this right now." Avery said angrily, turning around and then slamming the door on his mother's face.

"This is all your fault!" Emma shouted.

Avery was leaning against the closed door and he continued hearing his mother yelling at him. Avery sighed and footsteps approached from the door. Avery sighed as he continued to lean against the door. He closed his eyes and swallowed before he opened his eyes and then turned around again before heading back up the stairs to his bedroom.

After Avery had gone back to his bedroom he walked to his bathroom and he leaned over facing the sink after walking to the sink. Avery takes a deep breath and he looks at himself in the mirror. After Avery thinks for a moment he hears his work cell phone ringing from his nightstand in the bedroom. Avery turned around and he walked out of the bathroom before heading to his nightstand.

Avery answered his phone. "Hello?" Avery overheard Hunter talking over the phone. "Yeah. I'm on my way." Avery said. Avery hung up the phone. Avery grabbed his wallet, put his wallet in his front pocket and he grabbed his car keys before he put away his iPhone in his back pocket.

After Avery gathered his things he also put on his black leather jacket. Avery also puts on his baseball cap before he walks out of his bedroom. Avery then walked out of the house before he shuts the door and locks it. After immediately rushing to the unmarked car he gets in the car before driving away and heading back to the police station.