Wednesday morning arrived with a thick fog that sat heavily on the tiny town of Hillrose. Ben was sitting at the window of his motel room, watching darkness slowly giving way to dawn, although his eyes could not penetrate the thick mist. If they can’t find new leads on the case, his superiors will order them back to Montclair by the end of the week. He felt disappointed, but knew it will be much harder on Kate. After twenty years on the force Ben learnt to distance himself from the case, but his partner still had a long way to go; sometimes she just got too involved, and emotions clouded her judgement. Ben knew the feeling all too well. The urge to help those in need, to protect those who are weak, or in danger; but sink too deep in your emotions and you will not be able to tell right from wrong. Essentially you will fail because you are too involved.

He stood up when he heard the knock on the door and grabbed his jacket on the way out. Kate seemed pale in the darkness of the hallway.

“Are you all right?”, he asked, but when she just muttered something unintelligible, he did not press the issue further. She wouldn’t be the first, nor the last detective who could not get a good night sleep on a murder case.

They gave up breakfast at the Stardust Inn after the fruit scones Inga served them on Monday morning tasted like sawdust, and had the same consistency as well. Kate declared she would rather starve than eat anything that comes from that woman’s kitchen, and Ben couldn’t agree more.

By the time they arrived to Hogan’s Diner the fog lifted somewhat. The scrambled eggs were creamy, the bacon crispy, and the coffee hot and strong.

“You look like someone who needs a bit of cheering up”, the jolly waitress, Ellie – according to her name tag, – said as she placed a slice of pecan pie in front of them. “On the house, of course. I just took them out of the oven.” She offered a smile to Kate, a wink to Ben, then turned on her heel and disappeared behind the counter with bouncy steps.

“You are awfully quiet today”, Ben said when they were halfway through their pie. It was delicious.

Kate put her fork down and stared at him, the blue circles around her eyes more prominent under the fluorescent lights.

“I did not sleep well”, she replied.

“I heard you came in late last night. Trouble?”

Kate dropped her eyes back on her plate, but said nothing.

“Don’t beat yourself up”, he said, and shovelled the last bite of the culinary artwork in his mouth.

Kate looked up, her eyes wide.

“I saw you last night with the journalist. From the look on your face it’s not hard to guess it did not go well” he said and put his hand lightly on Kate’s.

“I should have said no”, she said with a little shrug. “I thought maybe a drink or two would take my mind away from the case a bit, you know, then I could think with a fresh mind. But all he wanted is to find out more for his bloody article.”

“That’s his job, he can’t help it, can he?” Ben said as he stood up. “Let’s go, we can go through the interviews again with Ellers. Maybe we missed something.”

“Sure”, Kate scoffed.

She was almost out the door when she heard Ellie’s voice behind her.

“Have a nice day detectives!” then turning to Kate, “I love your shoes by the way.”

Kate stopped dead in her tracks. Ben turned questioningly to her. “What’s wrong?”

“The shoes! Something with the shoes. Julian said something last night as well, but for the life of me I can’t remember.” She slapped her forehead to jog her memory but it did not help.

“I know you said we can’t take Paul’s boots off his feet, but drop me off at the Havers house. Emily should be alone by now. I think if I can talk to her alone…”, her voice trailed off.

At this point anything was better than doing nothing, so Ben did not argue.

“Sure you don’t want me to stay?”, he asked when he pulled up in front of the farmhouse.

“I think she would be more forthcoming if it was just me”, Kate said with determination.

Kate watched Ben drive away, walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. When there was no answer, she slowly walked around the building. She heard the sound before she saw her. Singing. A sweet little lullaby.

Emily Havers sat in a rocking chair, her feet propped up on a small table, rocking back and forth, back and forth. With her eyes closed, she was humming a lullaby Kate new well from her childhood.

“Emily?”, she said quietly. She did not want to scare her.

Emily slowly opened her eyes and turned to look at her. “I’m not doing great with this pregnancy”, she said apologetically and stood up awkwardly. “My legs feel so swollen.”

“You look great, I heard this usually passes after the first trimester”, Kate said and her gaze fell on the other woman’s feet, encased in the unlaced boots. She continued. “Did you know, that June Sanders was pregnant too?”

Emily’s lips trembled as she slowly shook her head from side to side. “No”, she whispered. “No… no… no….”

“Emily, your husband…”

*

Julian drove down the road, through the familiar streets, adrenaline rushing through his body. He did not plan to go to the diner this morning, but now was glad that he changed his mind, thanks to the sign outside that indicated Ellie’s fresh pecan pies. It was one of his favourites, however this time his plate was left untouched as he hurried out and jumped into his car after Ellie told him what she overheard from the detectives.

When he pulled up in front of the Havers house he did not see any other car. He got out and quietly closed the car door behind him. He took a few steps towards the house, listening. At first he heard nothing. But as he edged closer to the building he could vaguely make out something that could have been a hushed conversation.

Julian crept closer, trying to tread as carefully as possible. He did not want to alert anyone to his presence. He almost reached the corner when he recognised Kate’s voice.

“Emily, your husband…”