Page 14 of Girl, Undone

‘Jason White.Lives in West Bend.’

‘Where’s that?’

’20 minutes north.’

Ella made a mental note.‘What was it about him that stood out?’

‘I only met him a few times, and Julia never said much, but I could tell she was unhappy towards the end.They fought a lot.He was controlling, always wanted to know where she was, who she was with.’

‘How long ago did they split up?’

‘Must be nearly six months now.He got violent one night.Julia left his place and never looked back.’

'She file a report?'Ripley asked.

'No.She just wanted it over.Didn't want to deal with him anymore.'

Ella took it all in.Jason White was now a person of interest.‘Did Julia have any contact with Jason recently?Any encounters you know of?’

‘No.I never saw him again.After that, Julia started focusing on herself.I know she started online classes recently.Something to do with medieval times.Ancient history and all that.’

Another unexpected detail.‘Did she meet anyone through these classes?Any new friends or acquaintances?’

Rose shook her head.Her tears had now dried to her cheeks ‘Not that I know of.She mostly kept to herself about it.Just seemed happy to be learning something new, something she was passionate about.’

Ella considered everything Rose had told her, then had to ask the burning question.‘Rose, you say that Julia didn’t have much of a social life.If so, where was she last night?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘She never mentioned anything?Or anyone?’

‘Therewassomething else going on with her, but she didn't share it with me.’

Ella’s interest piqued.‘How do you know?’

‘Once a week or so, Julia would disappear for a few hours each evening.She never told me where she was going.I didn't press her.I thought she might be studying with someone, or dating.I don’t know.’

Ripley pressed, ‘Did she have a regular night for these disappearances?A pattern?’

‘No particular day, but at least once a week she’d leave the house about six and get back about eleven.’

'And last night was the same?’

Rose nodded, tears starting again.'Yes.I was watching TV.Julia came out of her room, said she was going out, and she'd be back later.That was it.That was the last time I saw her.I should've asked where she was going.I should've-'

'This isn't your fault,' Ella said firmly.'You had no way of knowing.'

'But if I'd asked, if I'd made her tell me…’

‘She still wouldn’t have come home.Whoever did this was waiting for the right moment.Nothing you did or didn't do would've stopped that.’

Rose covered her face with her hands.Her shoulders shook.

Ella gave her a moment, then asked, 'Did Julia seem worried lately?Scared?Like someone might be following her?'

'No.She seemed good, actually.Better than she'd been in a long time.More like herself.'

'Any unusual phone calls?Strange people showing up?Enemies?'