A Barbecue

Secrets lie below the embers. -Michelle Liew

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It took little for Detective George Lee to unmask lies. The smell of fear, uneven breaths, shifting gazes - they all painted vivid pictures clearer than any confession could. Emma Kong’s unease spoke louder than words.

Vance, her estranged husband, had disappeared two nights earlier. Emma had dialled 911, her voice betraying extreme panic. The odd thing was that she was calm when George arrived. Too calm. The kind that accompanied secrets.

“You mentioned Vance left without his wallet or mobile phone?” George questioned, reclining in Emma’s plush leather chair. His eyes took in the living room, spruced—a place where chaos was an unwelcome guest.

“Yes,” Emma whispered, her voice barely audible. She gripped the sides of the rocking chair she was sitting on, her face devoid of colour.

“It’s odd, right? No one goes far without their phone nowadays.” George’s tone was deliberately casual.

Emma bit her lip, but she still held his gaze. “Vance was not himself. He told me he needed some time for himself.”

George walked to every corner of the room, letting his trained detective’s gaze fall on the fireplace. The scent of its recently varnished wood mixed with a more acrid odour. He walked to the mantel, where a well-polished urn sat gleaming under soft, dim lamplight.

“This is beautiful." He commented casually, his fingers running over its delicate surface.

Emma tightened her grip on her chair, her knuckles whitening. “It’s my mom’s. She passed away two months ago."

“So did Vance. I’m so sorry. The grief must be heavy.” His words were consoling but pointed.

George’s finger caught a faint smudge of soot. He rubbed it between his fingers, studying the grey smear. “Cremations leave such fine ash. So hard to clean.” He eyed her meaningfully.

His finger traced a faint yet significant smudge of soot. “Cremations leave fine ash so hard to clean, isn’t it?”

Emma swallowed hard. “Detective, just what are you implying?”

George turned to her with an unreadable expression. “Nothing, ma’am, I’m just curious. Would you mind if I look around?”

Her silence spoke volumes.

George found a fire pit in the backyard. Tiny bone fragments clung to a few fresh logs, their acrid smell sharp.

Emma was halfway out the door when he returned. He caught her arm gently.

“ Barbecue last night? A shame that I wasn’t invited. I could’ve met Vance.”