6 January, 2026 Freewriter's Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 2974 (Part 7) | Prompt: norm (norma)

Part 6: Recap

"Not that it matters to me, but where have you been?"

Olivia shot a cutting stare at Lyle. She turned and walked away to avoid his question.

"It better not have been my home. You're gonna ruin everything," he hissed twirling around on the bar stool with a cocktail in his hand to face her.

She smirked. "I'd like to have seen the scare on her face after she saw you running from the garage. I even spread a personal touch of your favorite fragrance."

"What the hell!" Lyle scolded, then jumped up from the couch and rushed over to her, grabbed her neck, snapping it back, and stared into her beautiful jade eyes for a long moment.

With his hands still pressed against her neck, he paused and thought for a moment. "It may work. I picked a nice one this time. She's beyond fragile. I see the tipping point sooner than expected. The fragrance has never been my favorite; however, potent enough to confuse. But don't do that again! I'm warning you!"

It took several moments before he released his grip and returned to their bar area.

Surveying their condo's spacious, elegantly furnished living room helped ease his worry. Purchased a year ago in one of his alias' identity, he'd paid for the property with Daniela's career, carefully draining her assets monthly. All she wanted was a quiet, married life. A bargain he believed he could accommodate.

It was by accident they met.

The downtown bar scene on that Saturday night starred typical males ferreting out companionship. It didn't matter the joint. Lyle wasn't particularly searching for a replacement, but it was Daniela's look of desperation as she sat in The Hunt Club staring at the cocktail glass that intrigued him before she looked away at a minor disturbance. Disrupting a would-be unethical move by a male patron sitting next to her gained him access.

"Excuse me, miss, but I wouldn't drink that after the gentleman's hand to your right hovered over it a few seconds too long."

Bewildered, Daniela turned and tossed the cocktail's contents in the man's face before walking off with Lyle. He was in. What gave him concern though was her father.

A glimpse of Olivia enticing him to divert his attentions elsewhere aroused him. She knew him best. Elevator eyes activated, without a word, he rushed over, took her in his arms, and planted a deep kiss on her lips. She responded, then grabbed his hand and led him toward the stairs.

Before they reached the first step, the phone rang. "Three shipments arrived last night. Need directions on inland distribution. Be here in two hours," a voice on the other end ordered. Damn, Lyle thought, then turned to do a once-over again before glancing at his watch. Damn. He seethed before slamming the door behind him.

"Word has it you've been tagged," the short man wearing dark glasses uttered as he stepped from behind the dark alley directly in front of Lyle's face.

"It's my and the boss' business. Now move out of my way!" Lyle hissed, placing his hand near his underarm. The man's eyes followed Lyle's hand. He frowned, then backed away.

A bit startled at the news, but attempting to disguise it, Lyle pushed the man even farther away and continued down the dark alley.

**Damn. Word's reached the boss, he internalized but kept pace behind the second in command leading the way to the section of warehouses assigned to their operations.

The night sky was aflame with bright city lights behind the dark and vacant dock. Lyle's first thought was of the night life he enjoyed. For a long moment he stood basking in the knowledge that beyond those walls of the warehouses, numerous entertainment business enjoyed the benefits of his less-than illegal, yet highly profitable ventures.

Lyle pulled out his mask and gloves before entering the closest warehouse. Smoke and chemicals rushed to greet him. His pulse raced as he surveyed the numerous activities, divided into categories. No area of the concrete floor was left vacant. Organized chaos.

Did many abhor their duties? Their heads down, they resembled worker bees following the lead of their master. No matter what. Uneasiness quivered in his gut. The last job. Tolerable was non-human trafficking. Weaponry and satisfying the unusual, high end palates and thirst for unattainable souvenirs of wealth knew no bounds.

Instantly, his thoughts turned to Daniela. For all her talent, innocent in a quirky sort of way.

A hand waiving in the air caught Lyle's attention. He nodded, then proceeded toward the man known only as "The Boss". Across the warehouse he tread briskly, but carefully. No greeting, just turned his back. Through a back door they exited, then across the rail yard until they reached the edge of the ship channel.

"The nature of our business can't afford liabilities. Have you fallen into that category?" The Boss questioned in a husky voice.

"Not in the least. Any talk will be silenced immediately. You have my word," Lyle assured, then continued. "Now, I have five clients ready to accept the new shipments."

The Boss half nodded. Not completely satisfied, but he'd no other liaison as skilled as Lyle in quickly identifying local and international buyers.

"One other thing. Buyers aren't gonna pay hefty prices for infected companions. Have them certified by the end of the week." Having concluded, the men returned to the warehouse.

Another week passed before he left his condo to return home.

Not the norm by any means, he calculated. Once my affection is reinforced, I'll explain my business. He grimaced, unsure yet which liaison version he'd impart. Reddingham or a lesser, unassuming venture. Of importance was discovering what Daniela shared with police. Beyond pissed, she'll be; but tore up inside missing me, he counted on. She'll never betray me.

Now Part 7

"Damn, Daniela, pickup!. Please." her father wailed.

"What's wrong, dear?" Upon hearing the commotion, her mother burst into the living room.

"Our daughter. She's not answering. The detective I hired came, through. I knew that bastard was no good the moment I laid eyes on him."

"What do you mean? If Daniela is in trouble, then put that phone down and get the hell over there as soon as you can. I've come to realize I should have listened to your warnings."

"You're right. She told us that Lyle was out of town. I never believed it. He's hiding in plain sight somewhere waiting to harm our little girl. And I don't have a clue of his intentions."

Before her father left, he placed two calls. "I need a welfare check immediately. I fear my daughter's life is at stake." Next, "Meet me at Daniela's house. It's time."

What her father didn't know was that Lyle had already headed home.

Two hours earlier, Daniela had struggled to rise. She grabbed hold of a nearby stool and pulled herself up. Her hand immediately flew to her temple as blood trickled down the side of her face. She glanced around to see who the culprit was that knocked her unconscious.

She sat glossy eyed on the stool for several moments.

Tearing off a piece of her blouse, she dabbed her temple. The sparse attic held no clue. Suddenly, she paused and jerked her head around, peering intently at the small cupboard door in the far corner, thinking for a moment, it didn't come with the home.

Slowly, she rose. Aided by the wall, she made her way to the tiny door. No luck. Scouring the room, she noticed an oddly placed mini pry bar.

It took all her strength to open the door. Finally, she reached inside, pulling out three ledgers. Flipping the pages, she couldn't decipher the notes as though written in code.

Interrupting her was the sound of the front door. Her pulse raced. Lyle!

"Darling, I'm home." His voice raised.

She shoved the books in the corner and headed for the stairs. Lyle's hat appeared. She couldn't explain her next move, but retreated until he'd passed her, headed toward the kitchen.

She watched as the french doors opened before she continued downstairs. "Welcome home, darling. I've missed you so. You were gone longer than usual," she responded tersely. He didn't notice.

"Well, yes. A difficult client who demanded I rethink my proposal." He paused and spread his arms wide. Don't I deserve a welcome home kiss?"

He reached and drew her to him. "You're trembling. What's wrong?"

She leaned into his chest. "An intruder broke the patio door yesterday. It frightened me so I reported it." Best keep to the truth rather than attempt to remember details of a lie.

He frowned while studying her face. "That doesn't explain blood on your temple.

"That's from a run in with the cabinet edge. I'm alright." She turned her head and broke away, never having been a convincing liar.

"Leave you alone for two weeks, and look what happens. I'll get the first aid kit."

Not wanting the moment to pass, she rushed, "it's not important. What frightened me was the interrogation. She shuttered. But I didn't tell them anything. They wanted to know about your sales position and dates you traveled." She didn't want to tell about the raid on the attic, but blurted it out.

"Why did you allow them to search our home? Did they have a warrant?"

"I believe so. I'm confused. My head aches. When I think about it, I don't know what your business is. I need answers. Now!"

Lyle shrank back at Daniela's tone. Expressionless, he took a slow, deep breath, then steadied himself for his rehearsed explanation.

"I told you I'm in sales. A liasion among different buyers in an exotic markets business. You know I've traveled the world and have contacts. Satisfied?"

"You've told me nothing. And never intend to" Daniela swiped his hand away from her face.

"You're more trouble than I bargained for. Why I thought this could work is beyond me. I'm just glad I had the foresight to move my document files elsewhere. Olivia warned me." He hadn't intended to mention her.

"Olivia! Who in the hell is that?" Daniela shrieked, but she could care less as her thoughts dwelt on his confession that he did have a secret in the attic; papers the authorities were interested in.

"I've already divulged too much. It's time for me to make a change." Lyle scoured the living room as if expecting their conversation was being recorded.

"What do you mean?" Daniela tried not to show the panic that attacked her as she watched Lyle head toward the bathroom. Her suspicions reinforced, she sat silently waiting for his next move.

Returning with the first aid kit, he sat down and spoke tenderly as if he'd not issued a dire warning moments ago.

Something's not right. She froze. He has no heart. Move on from me? With Olivia! I can't overlook that. Not this time.

The phone startled Daniela back to the present, but she sat quietly gripping her hands together, hoping the caller wasn't her father.

[to be continued]

For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the Hive account@daily.prompt's publishing of 6 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2974: norm; together with the prompts listed below:

5 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2973: has no heart;

4 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2972: reinforced;

3 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2971: can’t overlook that;

1 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2969: what an appearance!;

22 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2959: the last date; and

21 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2958: the secret in the attic