The Evidence

She had to use several times more paper than she needed, but she managed to leave the roll empty. "All yours, hon," she said as she exited.

She listened from the bedroom closet as he puttered and splashed. The sink ran, and he came out, shaking his hands dry.

"Gotta put my scrub mask on," she commented in what she hoped was a light and airy tone. She angled her body as she passed so as not to brush against him.

Inside, all was quiet. The sink faucet held a single droplet of water that had not yet fallen. Stray soap bubbles lay around the drain.

She checked the roll. A fresh one, perfectly hung, paper over the top, the old empty tube folded and discarded neatly in the trash can.

That confirmed it.

He'd been taken. It was one of them in the other room.