8. Elle
“I am sorry for this Mrs?—”
“Elle,” I interrupted Jamison before he could go any further. Hearing my married name would do nothing for my mood. “Please call me Elle, or if you must be formal, Ms Blessing is fine.”
Two hours ago, I sent my mother and sister home, now I was wishing I hadn’t. The same questions for two hours were starting to wear on me.
“Elle then,” Jamison nodded. “You said Jake has gone for long periods of time in the past but not this long?”
“Correct. He usually takes off with his fishing buddies to drink and get stoned. I’m not sure how much fishing they get done, but I’m guessing not too much.”
“Guessing?”
“He never brings any fish home,” I shrugged.
“And he smokes weed?”
“Never at home, but with is mates he gets pretty smashed. I don’t like being around him when he is like that.”
“Understandable,” Jamison agreed, his tone regretful.
“Detective, I have absolutely no idea where my husband is, and I’m going to be brutally honest here, I really don’t care where he is or if he comes home.” Being honest was a good thing, right?
“May I ask is or has Jake been physically violent with you Elle?”
“You may and no he hasn’t. He wouldn’t dare with my father and brother-in-law close by. Too close for Jake.”
Jamison pulled his chair closer to me, his large hands lying flat on the desk.
“Jock and Josh, correct?”
“Correct, but you’re barking up the wrong tree with your questioning. My father is a big teddy bear and Josh would never hit someone without asking Claudia first. My sister doesn’t like fighting and Josh would never do anything to upset her.”
“Really?”
Laughing at his incredulity I nodded. “Really. We Blessing women have a way of bringing our men to — heal. Well, some men,” I conceded thinking of my wayward spouse.
“And your sister Gisele, does she have a way?” he asked trying to sound nonchalant and failing.
Interesting.
“Not the right one,” I laughed, “Liam is a dickhead in the first degree. He knocked her up while they were still in high school then left her high and dry the entire pregnancy. Miracle was born at twenty-three weeks in, and Liam took no interest. Gisele doesn’t take crap from Liam; she allows him to see his daughter only because my sweet hearted sister believes that only Miracle has the call to stop seeing her dad.”
“Miracle, pretty name. Suits her. She doesn’t talk, I noticed she was signing” he said lowering his face, as if he didn’t mean to ask.
“Nope.” That was all he was going to get from me. If Gisele wanted him to know, then she would tell him. “Can I go? Pick this up tomorrow, please?”
“Sure, it is getting late. Is there somewhere I can get something to eat in town?”
Looking at my watch I shook my head. “Not this time on Monday night, the pub is open, but the kitchen will be closed. But if you are brave enough, my mum always cooks too much food.” Raising my brow at him.
“Maybe,” he said, then “Will your sister be there?”
Getting to my feet, I picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder.
“Yep,” I smiled triumphantly. “Bring whiskey if you can, nothing cheap.”
“What kind?” he asked and again I smiled.
“Jameson sounds good,” I sassed, then laughed when he did.
Yep, he is perfect for Gisele.