Chapter 101: Unexpected Lifeline

Nobody was picking up.

Three long excruciating dial tones. Loud ringings that'll always abruptly cease after the third. Each time the sudden silence came I'd hold in a breath, each time I'd feel a balloon filled with trepidation swell up inside of me. Then it'll deflate, and I'll find myself staring once more at the prompt on screen to disconnect.

Please leave your message after the beep.

Three times, man… for three minutes. I sat there on the steps, muttering furiously under my breath for the incessant ringing pressed firmly against my ears to finally stop blaring my eardrums and for the voice of an ever stoic detective to answer my silent cries.

Yet in spite of all my pleas and mutters, as much as I tried to will the reality into whatever I want to be… could continue hoping against hope itself, but the fact of the matter was - 

Irene just wasn't going to pick up.