Chapter 4
Inside Millfield City Hall's grand auditorium, red, white, and blue banners hung like victory flags.
At 10 AM on Saturday, every seat was filled, hundreds of townspeople's applause crashing like waves toward the "hero" on stage.
Jake stood under the spotlight in his crisp police uniform, the medal of valor gleaming on his chest.
"Now let's invite Officer Henderson's wife to the stage!" the mayor's voice echoed throughout the hall.
Emily was pushed toward the front, hundreds of eyes fixed on her.
The mayor handed Emily a bouquet with theatrical flourish: "Officer Henderson is not only our hero, but also an exemplary husband. Let's applaud this perfect couple!"
Jake gripped the microphone, his voice dripping with false humility: "I'm just doing my job. With Emily's support, I can better protect this community."
Emily's smile never wavered as she addressed the microphone. "I'm proud of my husband."
The ceremony continued with nauseating perfection until a young woman's voice cut through the applause: "Officer Henderson!"
Twenty-two-year-old Jessica rushed toward Jake, tears of gratitude sparkling in her eyes: "If it weren't for you, I might never have seen my family again. You're a true hero."
Jake's chest puffed with pride: "Any officer would have done the same, Jessica. Protecting the innocent is our duty."
The mayor gripped Jake's hand like a man drowning: "Jake, you saved my daughter. Our entire family owes you everything."
Emily watched Jake's micro-expressions—the arrogance flickering in his eyes, the smugness tugging at his mouth corners.
"Mrs. Henderson, you must be so proud," Jessica gushed, turning her innocent eyes toward Emily.
"Of course." Emily's voice flowed like poisoned honey, "He's always... protecting us."
Jake's hand found Emily's waist, fingers digging in with warning pressure that made her ribs ache. Her smile only grew brighter, more radiant, more deadly.
The reception afterward buzzed with congratulations and champagne.
Emily moved through the crowd like a ghost, observing every person who fawned over her husband, memorizing their faces for the reckoning to come.
As the sun began its descent, they finally headed to the parking lot. Emily deliberately slowed her pace, savoring these last moments of public performance.
Jake fumbled for his parking ticket, and fate intervened—a faded photograph fluttered from his wallet like a dying moth.
Emily's reflexes were lightning-quick. The photo showed a woman with kind eyes, and on the back, in faded ink: [To my little hero - Mom.]
"Jake, is this your mother?" Emily's voice carried perfect innocence, "She's beautiful."
Jake's transformation was instantaneous and violent. His face flushed crimson as he lunged for the photo: "Don't touch my things! It's none of your damn business!"
Emily held her ground, deliberately probing the wound: "I just wanted to know about your family... she must be so proud of your honor today."
"She's DEAD!" Jake's roar echoed across the empty parking lot, "Long dead! Don't you ever mention her again!"
Emily's heart sang with triumph. "What terrifies him most is abandonment, just like mommy abandoned her little hero."
She arranged her features into startled concern: "I'm sorry, I didn't know..."
Jake's breathing was ragged, his control slipping: "Just... get in the car. Now."
Emily had seen behind the mask—the frightened little boy whose mother chose a butcher over her "hero" son. The weakness that would destroy him.
The drive home passed in tense silence, but Emily's mind raced with possibilities.
That night, Jake's police brotherhood descended on their house like vultures, ostensibly to celebrate but really to deliver a message.
Police Chief Morrison settled into their living room like he owned it, beer in hand: "Emily, Jake faces enormous pressure at the station. A harmonious home life is crucial for his effectiveness."
Officer Davis nodded sagely: "We all know Jake's character. Sometimes the job stress can make a man... well, you understand."
Emily served drinks with a hostess's grace, her voice sweet as summer rain: "Of course I understand. I'll do everything I can to support him."
Yet she thought, "You're all accomplices. Every single one of you. The entire system is rotting from the inside."
Jake's arm snaked around her shoulders possessively: "See? I told you Emily's a smart woman. She knows how things work in this town."
Chief Morrison's smile was all teeth and no warmth: "The community really looks up to you both. It would be... unfortunate if anything disrupted that respect."
The threat hung in the air like smoke. Emily bowed her head demurely while pouring wine, her rage a white-hot core beneath the performance. Soon, very soon, these enablers would choke on their complicity.
After the last guest departed, Jake dragged Emily to the garage—away from his precious surveillance cameras. The single overhead bulb cast harsh shadows, turning his face into a monster's mask.
"I saw you whispering with Sarah today." His voice was arctic ice, "I warned you about letting that bitch poison your mind."
Emily's chin lifted with practiced defiance: "We were discussing everyday things..."
"LIAR!" Jake's hand shot out, gripping her jaw with bruising force, "I know exactly what she's planning. If that cunt comes sniffing around again, I'll destroy both of you."
Pain bloomed across Emily's face, but her eyes remained steady.
"This is a small town, Emily." Jake's breath was hot against her ear, "I have friends everywhere. Judges, prosecutors, other cops. You think you can run? Think again. I'll bury you both so deep, no one will ever find the pieces."
Emily nodded submissively: "I understand. I'll handle Sarah."
Jake released her with satisfaction: "Good girl. Remember your place."
Hours later, Emily lay in their bed listening to Jake's thunderous snores.
She replayed every moment: the sickening hero worship, the collective blindness, the institutional cover-up, and most importantly, that photograph.
Jake's mother abandoned him, chose someone else, and he's spent his entire life trying to prove he's worthy. But deep down, he knows he's nothing.
Emily turned to study Jake's sleeping face, twisted and ugly in the pale light. All those cops, those neighbors, those people cheering for him... they were all accessories to his crimes.