Down in Flames

Tuesday evening,
Jacob’s room.

Officer Williams parked her black, white, and blue patrol car on Fourth Avenue South in front of the south garage entrance to the Beacon 430 apartment building. She punched into the keypad the three-number code Frances Underwood had given her and heard the door unlock. As instructed, she took the elevator to the third floor, made three left turns, and stood on the WIPE YOUR PAWS doormat.

She tapped on the door and Frances opened it to a sleek and modern corner apartment. An open-plan granite-countered kitchen was to the left, with an island that held the sink and had room for three tall stools for dining.

“Thanks for interviewing Jacob here at home,” said Frances. She stepped back and waved Officer Williams inside, gesturing in the direction of a sleek gray sofa sectional with a chaise lounge. There were no pillows. A small dog bed was positioned at the corner where the sofa and the chaise met. The dog bed was obviously special ordered in a matching fabric to the sofa. The large-screen television was mounted to the opposite wall. “I hope you don’t expect much. He still isn’t speaking.”

“But he’s still texting?”

“Yes, thankfully. Here’s his number.” She handed Officer Williams a sticky note. “I’ll just tell him you’re here.”

Frances tapped on a white door on the right-hand wall. “Jacob, Officer Williams is here to talk to you. Don’t forget your phone.”

“You have to remind him?”

“Yes, unlike most teenagers who are glued to their phones, he hates it. On the other hand, like most normal teenagers, he exhibits the most irritating behaviors.”

A long minute passed. Frances stood in front of the door and turned to Officer Williams. “It takes him a while to leave his room. He has a routine that he follows. It usually only takes a minute or so, but it may take longer since you’re here.” She listened closely at the door. “Good, he’s washing his hands now.”

Frances motioned for Officer Williams to sit in the center of the sofa. “Jacob prefers the chaise so that Suzy is close.”

The door opened, and Jacob walked into the living room and placed Suzy in her bed. He pulled a smartphone from his back pocket. Then he slipped off his shoes and stretched out on the chaise. It was the perfect position to watch the television.

Frances sat next to Jacob. She looked at Officer Williams. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Thanks.” Officer Williams looked at Jacob, who was staring down at his phone. “We’ll start with a quick message to make sure we’re communicating, so that I have a complete record for our files.” She pulled out her phone and began to text.

HI JACOB. YOU KNOW ME DON’T YOU?

YES, WE HAVE MET MANY TIMES.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT I’M THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF INVESTIGATING THE HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT THAT YOU WITNESSED ON MONDAY?

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THE ACCIDENT?

Officer Williams looked quickly at Jacob’s mother to gauge her reaction to the interview. This was an unusual approach. Frances was calm and intently watching Jacob’s flying fingers.

LET’S GO BACK TO EARLIER IN THE DAY ON MONDAY. DO YOU REMEMBER ARRIVING AT WEBB’S GLASS STUDIO?

DO YOU REMEMBER LEAVING AND STANDING ON THE SIDEWALK?

THAT’S VERY GOOD. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT?

Jacob reached down to scratch Suzy behind the ears. Her soulful eyes were stuck to his face like glue. She gave a little whimper. He lifted her and folded her into his arms automatically. She fit perfectly.

I REMEMBER A BRIGHT RED FLASH AND THEN SUZY STARTED TO HOWL.

VERY GOOD, JACOB. YOU’RE DOING FINE. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?

Jacob sat still, then turned his head to look out the sliding glass doors to the balcony. The silence lasted for several quiet minutes. He patted Suzy, then turned back to his phone and resumed texting.

Frances stood. “I think that’s all for now. He finds this upsetting, and I have yet to agree to a treatment plan with his therapist.”

“The main treatment for selective mutism is behavior therapy. Sometimes medication plays a role in successful treatment. Behavioral therapy should be the first choice, and would be my first choice, but Jacob’s therapist wants to start with medication.” Frances glanced at Jacob. “He knows I’m uncomfortable resorting to drugs without fully exploring other treatments. This is not our first rodeo.”

Officer Williams raised her eyebrows. “What if the therapist insists?”

“I’ll be looking for a new therapist.”

Officer Williams thought Judge Underwood would win that argument.