It’s Wednesday, January 14th, 9pm.

“Vanessa please relax. You’re not thinking straight.”

“I don’t know if I can. I keep hearing his voice but he’s not there.”

“Anyone in your position would.”

Vanessa is on the phone with her friend from work. She’s been hearing James’ voice frequently. She’s wondering if she’s losing her mind.

"I just want James to come home."

*Thursday, January 15th, 3pm*

Vanessa is almost done drawing her artwork for the ending of a comic book.

"Wow that looks awesome," Cindy says.

"Yeah well I can't believe that's going to be the end for this comic. Over the years I put so much work into this and it became one of the most bought comics in the world."

"Honestly Vanessa you should take a vacation. I know with everything going on right now you need it. Take a week off."

"I was hearing his voice as I was drawing."

"When you say voices… is James saying good things?

"Well it's mostly things James has said over the years. Stuff that stands out. And as for the vacation, I think you're right."

There's an hour left before Vanessa is done work. She manages to finish the art for the comic book. She submits it where her boss will review it.

The boss actually takes her work right away.

"This is impressive stuff! Anyways how are you holding up Vanessa? I know with everything going…."

"I think I need to use my vacation time. With the comic being done this is probably the best time."

"I agree. Take a whole week off. Actually make it 2 weeks since I'm so impressed. You will be paid for the first week also."

"Thanks Hans."

Vanessa walks out the door when all of a sudden she sees everyone celebrating.

"Vanessa without you this couldn't be possible. We decided that you should be the one to open the champagne."

"Awwwe thanks guys. Yes I'll do it."

Vanessa opens the champagne slowly. It makes a popping noise from the pressure that had built inside. They all pour a glass for themselves.

"I know it's not the best time to celebrate with everything going on but we decided there has to be a little fun and happiness to cut through dark times."

Eventually everyone finishes their glass of champagne.

Vanessa walks to her car and she sees the black mercedes parked close to her. There's a man reading the newspaper. She decides to go over and talk to him.

"Is all of this really necessary?"

"Yes Vanessa. We have to keep you safe and also watch out for James if he does return."

She makes her way to her car and almost slips on ice. Thankfully her quick reflexes manage to balance herself and avoid injury.

She turns the ignition. The car won't start. She tries many times. The man in the black mercedes walks over.

"You know… my dad was a mechanic. He taught me a lot about cars. Let me have a look at it."

After several minutes he says, "looks like the battery is dead. I'll get my jumper cables."

He moves his car in front of Vanessa's car and tries to undo the knots in the cables.

"Okay let's do this."

The car eventually starts.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Vanessa drives home, and the mercedes follows her. Halfway to her house there’s a snow squall. “I can barely see anything.”

A car a couple spots in front of her rear ends another car. The loud bang startles Vanessa. She turns into the right lane to pass the 2 cars. The snow squall lets up after about 10 minutes, and she can finally see all around her. She passes through a sketchy neighborhood. The sidewalks aren’t shovelled, and there’s a group of homeless men around a barrel fire. A homeless man jumps in front of Vanessa’s car trying to panhandle some spare change. Thankfully she was driving slowly. Vanessa has a dollar in her cup holder. She lowers her window and gives the man the dollar. He says, “thank you. God bless.”

Eventually Vanessa ends up at her house where her kids are waiting for her.

“Mommy! How was work?”

“It was good, sweetie. I finished drawing. The book is finished.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Well I am on vacation now for 2 weeks. Anyways I will start cooking dinner.”

Vanessa is exhausted. She decides to cook something simple and takes the frying pan out from the bottom cabinet. It will be hotdog night. She takes the cheap Schneider sausages out from the fridge. The condensation around the package wets her hands. The sausages sizzle on the pan for 10 minutes. She gets out the relish, mustard, and ketchup.

“Okay guys it’s ready.”

The 3 kids, Andrew, Daniel, and Eliza huddle around the table. “I guess I will be praying,” Vanessa tells them.

“But mommy. Daddy always prays. When is he coming back?”

“I don’t know Daniel, but I know he will be here soon.”

“Dear Lord, I thank you for this day and all that was in it. I thank you that I finally get time off from work. You have blessed me from the time I started drawing the comic book, to the present day. I thank you for my family. I ask that you return my husband safe Lord. Anyways I ask that you bless this food we are about to receive. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Daniel goes to put ketchup on his hotdog. He doesn’t do what most people do and this results in water coming out of the bottle. He puts on a frowny face.

Everyone eats their hotdogs quickly. “Who wants seconds?”

Hours later the kids are ready to go to bed. Vanessa sings to each kid, and tucks them in.

Vanessa is really tired but she decides she’s going to continue watching Lupin on Netflix. She’s on the episode where the main character steals the queen’s necklace. She pours herself a sliver of scotch.

That’s when she hears Jame’s voice.

“Vanessa. I’m doing alright. But I have gotten myself into a heap of trouble.”

She starts thinking of the art heist that took place in Montreal, and starts connecting dots. Vanessa calls Sevro. “Hey Sevro. Any news on where James is.”

“Well Mrs. Morley, the best we can tell you is that they were spotted at Montreal’s airport and we believe they boarded a plane to Paris.”

Vanessa is shocked. They never told her this earlier.

"And you withheld this information from me?”

“Well it’s an ongoing investigation. We don’t release that kind of information as soon as we get it.”

Vanessa hangs up the phone. “Damn you James.”