The Perfect Solution-A Suspense of Choices by Ey Wade

steps from the foyer and into the living room, before pushing Catrine into the chair.
    "I am sorry it took so long. There was an accident on the highway. Has something else happened?" Phalene pushed a tissue into Catrine's hands. "Did you talk to the police? Are they going to put out an Amber Alert?"
    "Yes, yes I spoke to them. Yes, they are. It’s something they automatically do in cases like these." She wiped her nose. "Nothing else has happened. It's just that the officer I spoke with knew so many awful things about The P. S. Center."
    "And he told you these 'things' tonight of all nights?"
    "I asked. I wish I had known some of the things he told me before hand. The P. S. Center is bogus. I should have kept my baby at home."
    "What did Mrs. Wall say?"
    “Before I answer, there is someone here you should meet.”
    Catrine pointed to the silent figure of Austin sitting on the corner of the desk behind Phae. Turning quickly Phalene looked from Austin back to Catrine with a questioning look.
    “So, you called him?”
    Austin pushed himself from the desk and sat on the chair facing the sofa on which Phalene was sitting. Resting an elbow on his knees and unbuttoning his suit jacket, Austin leaned forward and introduced himself.
    "Hello, I am Austin Sanchez." He extended his hand across the space between them and Phalene shook it in response. "You were away when Catrine and I were seeing each other. Sorry it’s taken so long for us to be introduced. Your sister seems to get a kick out of keeping things to herself. Has there been any news from the kidnappers? And why aren't the police here? I thought that they would have been standing around, tapping the line, staking out the place like they have been doing mine. Or…." he paused for emphasis. "Did they figure I was the only person that they needed to question? Did you tell them to suspect me?" He stared at Catrine through squinted eyes.
    "No, as infatuated as you are with yourself, I know you would see that as a good thing. But I didn't. I didn't want them to call you at all. They could have left you completely out of the picture."
    "You should thank God that they didn't. I cannot believe that I have to go through something like this just to find out I’m a parent. How do you think I feel? I could have spent the last few years getting to know my son and now, only God knows if I will even get the chance."
    Catrine massaged her temples and pointedly ignored him. She walked towards the sofa and stood behind Phalene's left shoulder.
    "Forget it, Catrine." Austin's glare seemed to touch her across the small space. "You don't have to answer. All I want to know is have you heard anything from the kidnappers? Any ransom demands...anything?"
    Phalene looked from Austin to Catrine before answering.
    "Nothing from the kidnapper, but Catrine did call the Director of Brhin’s daycare center."
    Throwing an accusing glare at Catrine, Austin questioned her harshly.
    "Brian? That was my father's name. My son is named after my father?"
    "I can't tell you what your son's name is, but my son's name is Brhin. Pronounced like 'fine'."
    "Listen, Catrine I am hard put as it is to sit here and keep my hands off of you." he sat forward angrily. "Don't start anything and I won't finish it."
    "Listen, Austin. You can go to hell. Don't come here making threats. I am in no more of the mood than you are. Just remember that I didn't ask you to come here."
    Phae, shocked by the uncharacteristic way in which Catrine was acting and stunned by the anger and venom in the couple’s voices, did her best to change the subject.
    “Let’s get back to the director. What did she say, Catrine?”
    "She's worried about the reputation of her center and had asked me not to call the police."
    "Is she an idiot or what?” Austin paced the room in quick irritated steps before perching back on the desk. “Are we supposed to care about that stupid place? Did she say she would do anything to help us find him?"
    "We’re to