“And the police think it’s an act of revenge from one of the spouses. Detective Stanley has me on the top of his list because I have a strong alibi, his own words.”
“I’ve known you since you were a kid, Tony. And I know you would not harm a fly, much less Anne.” Josh turned around and walked to his wife. Tony smiled.
As soon as Tony stepped out of the hospital, cameramen, reporters and news persons rushed towards him. There were hundreds of questions asked at the same time. He raised one hand and put his finger to his mouth to request silence.
“I believe you’ll soon get a formal report from the police. The authorities are doing their job, let them do it. Unfortunately, when something happens to someone, the first person the police will go after is the spouse. They will spend all the time and energy with the wrong guy while the real culprit, the bad guy or guys are walking freely.” In the waiting room, the in-laws, Lisa and Beth had their eyes fixed on the TV screen. Stanley was listening to Tony on the radio while driving. “I have a special request to all those who are listening and watching,” Tony continued. “I’m giving my office and my email addresses. Anyone who knows something or has info on my wife Anne Caruso, born Smithson, please email or mail me. It will be a great help. Thank you.” Tony moved away to his car.
As soon as he reached his office and opened his email, messages started to pour in.
“Tony, detective Stanley for you, line 2,” Julia announced.
“Mr. Caruso, nice move,” Stanley said.
“I’ll repeat what I said to the press, you’re wasting your time and energy on me.”
“May be. Will you share the info with us?”
“May be,” Tony smiled. “Lots of messages are coming in. I don’t promise anything if they are personal.”
“I understand.”
“When should I come to your office? Should I be accompanied by my lawyer?”
“No need for a lawyer, and it will be after we interrogate Anne, Bill, Steve and John.”
“Ok, I’ll be around. I’m not leaving the city, as you know.”
Tony went through all the messages. Some were fake crap sent by some assholes. In the afternoon, Josh called letting him know that they could see Anne and asked him to come to the hospital. He told Josh that he would see Anne when she would be in a better position to hear what he would have to say. Half an hour later Josh called again, Anne wanted to see him. He refused and hung up.
He had already prepared dinner that evening when the in-laws came home. Mary looked at him with an angry eye, but Josh was more diplomatic. “She needs you Tony, she really needs you.” Josh pleaded.
“She never needed me since we met years ago, why now?” Josh seemed defeated and walked away. The next couple of days went by without a word from the in-laws concerning Anne. Every day they were at the hospital and came back late to Tony’s place. He would see that dinner was already prepared or he would take them to a restaurant. They would talk about everything except Anne or her condition. Tony knew it was hard for them but he didn’t want to hear Anne’s name in his house.