Chapter 7: The Gun That Connected Them All
"Whose record?""
Monica's voice was barely audible.
Officer Daniels remained quiet for a moment.
"Darius's," she repeated.
"The firearm was listed in an incident report from twelve years ago. We haven't confirmed every detail, but the serial number appears to match.""
Monica looked at Malik.
He had heard enough to understand that something terrible was happening.
"Mom, what does that mean?""
She covered the phone.
"I don't know yet, sweetheart.""
Malik shook his head.
"That gun was in Curtis's garage. How could it belong to Dad?""
Monica returned the phone to her ear.
"Officer Daniels, could Curtis have stolen it?""
"That's one possibility. We need to investigate ownership and the chain of possession before drawing conclusions.""
"Was my husband involved in the original incident?""
"We're reviewing that now.""
Monica closed her eyes.
"Please tell me you're going to find out what happened.""
"We are. And Monica, I need you and Malik to stay somewhere safe. Don't contact Curtis directly.""
"I understand.""
When she ended the call, Malik was pacing.
"That man had Dad's gun?""
"We don't know everything yet.""
"Mom, it's the same serial number!""
"I heard.""
"Then why are we acting like we don't know what happened?""
Monica took his shoulders.
"Because I don't want you making decisions based on something we haven't proven.""
Malik pulled away.
"Everything we've learned about him has been worse than the last thing.""
Monica nodded.
"I know.""
He looked at her.
"Do you think he wanted me to find it?""
She couldn't answer.
And that frightened her more than anything.
The next morning, Darius arrived at Renee's house carrying a thick folder.
He looked exhausted.
Monica opened the door.
"Did you sleep?""
"Not much.""
"Neither did I.""
He stepped inside.
Malik came downstairs almost immediately.
"Did you know about the gun?""
Darius stopped.
"What gun?""
"The one in Curtis's garage.""
Darius looked at Monica.
She nodded.
"Officer Daniels called last night. They believe it may be connected to your old police report.""
Darius slowly placed the folder on the table.
"Then I think I know what happened.""
Monica's stomach tightened.
"Tell us.""
Darius sat down.
"Twelve years ago, Curtis followed me after I left your house. I stopped at a gas station near East Cleveland. When I came back outside, he was waiting beside my car.""
Malik pulled out a chair.
"What did he do?""
"He told me to stay away from you and your mother. I told him he couldn't control who I spoke to.""
Darius rubbed his forehead.
"Then he showed me a gun.""
Monica covered her mouth.
"He threatened you with it?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"I was afraid he'd actually use it.""
Darius continued.
"I called the police after I got away. I gave them a description of the gun. I didn't know the serial number at the time, but I remembered its appearance.""
Malik stared at him.
"So Curtis took your gun?""
Darius shook his head.
"No. It wasn't mine. It was the gun he was carrying.""
Monica looked confused.
"Then why does the report connect it to you?""
"Because I was the person who reported the threat.""
Malik lowered his head.
The distinction mattered.
The gun hadn't necessarily belonged to Darius.
It had been connected to the report because Curtis had allegedly used it to threaten him.
Monica sat down.
"All these years, he kept it?""
Darius nodded slowly.
"That's what it looks like.""
At noon, Officer Daniels called again.
This time, she wanted to speak with all three of them.
They met at the police station.
Officer Daniels had another detective with her, a middle-aged man named Detective Harris.
He opened a folder.
"Mr. Curtis has been interviewed regarding the firearm.""
Darius leaned forward.
"What did he say?""
"He claims he purchased it legally several years ago.""
Monica frowned.
"But the report is twelve years old.""
"Correct.""
Detective Harris turned a page.
"He also claims the weapon in the garage was not the same one described in the original incident.""
Malik shook his head.
"That's a lie.""
Detective Harris looked at him.
"We'll let the evidence establish that.""
Officer Daniels placed a photograph on the table.
It showed the firearm recovered from the garage.
"Based on the preliminary comparison, the serial number matches the firearm listed in the original report.""
Monica felt her hands go cold.
"So he kept the same gun.""
"That's what the records suggest.""
Darius stared at the photograph.
"I remember that gun.""
Detective Harris nodded.
"We're still investigating how Curtis obtained it and whether it was involved in any additional incidents.""
Monica looked at Officer Daniels.
"Can he come back to the house?""
"Not while the current safety arrangements are in place. We're also discussing additional protective measures with the appropriate authorities.""
Malik leaned forward.
"Can I ask something?""
"Of course," Officer Daniels replied.
"Why would he keep a gun he used to threaten my father?""
Detective Harris exchanged a glance with his colleague.
"We don't know.""
Malik looked down.
Then he whispered:
"Maybe he wanted us to know he could hurt anybody who tried to take Mom away.""
Nobody answered immediately.
Because the possibility was terrifying.
Later that afternoon, Monica received a call from an unfamiliar number.
She almost ignored it.
Then she answered.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice came through.
"Is this Monica?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Nia. I'm Darius's daughter.""
Monica straightened.
"Hello, sweetheart.""
Nia sounded nervous.
"My dad told me what happened.""
Monica looked toward Darius, who was sitting across the room.
"Yes. It's been a difficult few days.""
"I wanted to ask something.""
"Go ahead.""
"Can I talk to Malik?""
Monica smiled faintly.
"Of course.""
She handed him the phone.
Malik hesitated.
"Hello?""
"Hi. I'm Nia.""
"Hey.""
There was an awkward silence.
Then Nia laughed softly.
"This is weird.""
Malik almost smiled.
"Yeah. It is.""
"I've seen pictures of you.""
"Really?""
"My dad keeps them in a box. There's one of you wearing a red birthday hat. You look about five.""
Malik smiled.
"I remember that hat.""
"Well, I just wanted to say I'm glad you're okay.""
Malik looked toward Monica.
"Thanks.""
Nia lowered her voice.
"Can I tell you something?""
"Sure.""
"My dad never stopped looking for you.""
Malik's smile disappeared.
He looked down at the carpet.
"I wish he'd found me sooner.""
"I know.""
They spoke for another few minutes.
When Malik returned the phone, his expression was different.
A little less angry.
A little more hopeful.
Monica kissed his forehead.
"That was nice.""
He nodded.
"She seems cool.""
Darius smiled from the couch.
"She is.""
For a few minutes, the room felt almost normal.
Then Monica's phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
*Unknown Number:* You think the gun is the worst thing I kept from you?
Monica stared at the screen.
Another message followed.
*Unknown Number:* Ask Darius what happened after he left the gas station.
She looked up.
Darius was already standing.
"What's wrong?""
Monica showed him the phone.
His face went completely white.
Because he recognized the wording.
It was the same kind of message Curtis had sent him twelve years earlier.
And beneath the latest message was a photograph.
A photograph of a little boy sitting in the back seat of a car.
Malik.
At four years old.
Taken from outside the window of his old daycare.
May you like
Darius whispered one sentence.
"He's been watching us longer than I thought.""
