????ABIGAIL
INOCENCIO????
(The Murderer….)
By, Precious Pinky
Copyright ©️(Don’t copy this story if you don’t want to see madness!)
Chapter 19????20
•••••
{ CASE 003 }
Abby rushed to Ward 205, pushing aside whoever stood in her way. She was breathless but that didn’t stop her.
How did she not know? fu-ck! Why was she just hearing the news about her patient’s death? Who confirmed him dead without her consent? How did he die?
Numerous questions ran throu-ghher mind. She hoped and prayed that it was misinformation and Gilbert was well and okay in his ward.
She hoped this was just one of his crazy pranks to make her go to his ward.
Gilbert has pulled up silly pranks to lure her into his ward before. It was something she grew used to and she wished this was also one of them.
She got to the ward and sighted a man, seated beside the room, crying with his head lowered. A lady sat close to him, consoling and whispering sweet nothings to him.
Abby got closer and stormed inside the room without saying anything to the man and the lady.
The room was empty aside from the two nurses who were already turning off the machines and a cleaner was cleaning the room.
“Where is he?” She asked them, looking around. “Where is the patient?”
The nurses exchanged glances with each other before focusing their eyes on her.
“Didn’t Nurse Thelma tell you?” One of them asked.
The hope in Abby’s chest shattered into a million pieces, leaving her in complete hopelessness as she su-cked in a de-ep but shaky breath, staggering back a little bit.
“Are you okay, Dr. Abby?” The cleaner asked, worriedly.
Abigail did not answer. She turned around and stepped out of the ward. She felt like crying but no single tear streamed down her face. She couldn’t cry. Actually, she can’t cry.
The man seated beside the ward quickly stood up as he sighted her. “What happened? I was a-ssured that he was going to be fine.”
“Babe, please calm down.” The lady whispered to him, soothing his back.
“I-I’m sorry.” Abigail breathed out. “I am really sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say or do.
When she had lost her mother, the family, and friends who came by said nothing rea-ssuring to her other than telling her sorry and that everything would be fine with time. It was obvious that they didn’t know what else to say to make her feel better. She was just a teenage girl who lost her sweet mother at the age of seventeen. It was the most terrifying thing that could ever happen to anyone. However, the countless sorry they told her didn’t help her in any way. It didn’t make her feel better at all. And it’s funny how she didn’t shed a single tear that day at her mother’s funeral and it made her look weird in front of everyone but de-ep down, the pain was so unbearable and the heartache made her feel like she was going to die at any point. The man standing in front of her right now reminded her of her seventeen years old self. But the difference between them is the fact that he was letting out his emotions by crying disregarding the belief that men don’t cry.
And judging by the look of pain in the man’s eyes when she told him she was sorry, she knew it didn’t make him feel better in the slightest bit. She could understand the pain of misery he was going throu-gh. Losing someone you love so much hurts like a bit-ch . It makes you feel like you’ve lost every damn thing in the world. It makes you feel hopeless and dejected.
Gilbert was a good man and didn’t deserve death. Heck, no one deserves to die, however, death was inevitable. Everybody will die one day. Gilbert was already old and obviously wasn’t far from dying but still.
Nurse Thelma walked towards them. “Mr. Gilbert’s body had been taken to the morgue.”
The man could barely let a word out. He just kept on crying.
“Okay. Thank you.” The lady who has been consoling him responded in a calm tone.
Nurse Thelma bowed her head to them before walking away.
“I’m sorry.” Abby apologized again.
“I need air.” The man mumbled and left the hallway, leaving the lady and Abby behind.
“I feel like this is my fault,” Abby whispered. “I should have taken better care of Mr. Gilbert.”
“Oh, please. Don’t blame yourself, doc. It is not your fault, okay?”
“I can’t stop the guilt I feel. I wasn’t even aware of his death until I was told a few minutes again. Does that make any sense?”
The lady reached out to hold the doctor’s hands in between hers. “As I’ve said, it is not your fault so stop blaming yourself. Mr. Gilbert is already an old and weak man and everyone knew including his son, that he was going to die very soon. If anything, you and the hospital took really good care of him.”
Abby nodded her head, li-cking her dried li-ps. “I’m sorry but who are you?”
The lady gave out a small smile as she let go of Abby’s hand. “Ah, forgive my manners. I am Lily by name. Williams’ girlfriend.” She introduced. “And I guess you are Dr. Abby, right?”
“Uhm, yeah.”
“I see. Williams always talked about you.”
“Williams? Wait, the same man that just stormed out of here?” Lily nodded her head, smiling. “Really? I don’t think I’ve ever met him before.”
“Maybe not. But Mr. Gilbert told him so much about you.” She explained.
“Oh.”
The same way the old man told her about his handsome son aka Williams as he tried to matchmake her with him. Too bad she wasn’t able to give him an answer before he died. But come to think of it, if Lily was Williams’s girlfriend, why did Mr. Gilbert attempt to matchmake them? Did he not know about Lily? Or doesn’t he like her for a daughter-in-law?
“Yeah.” She sighed. “Although I never got introduced to him before he died.” Lily said giving answers to Abby’s thoughts.
Abigail simply nodded her head.
“I should go to Williams. He needs me right now.”
“Yes, yes. I’m sorry for holding you back.”
Lily waved the doctor off. “You shouldn’t be. See you around, dear.”
“Sure.”
Lily smiled and walked away.
•••••
“Are you going to get off your phone or what?” Emma gro-aned, glaring at Ginny who wouldn’t stop chatting with her friends.
“What I do with my phone is none of your business. Can you just let me be, you frustrated lady?” Ginny snapped.
“What did you just call me?”
Emma knew she promised Robert to always ignore whatever stupidity Ginny displayed but she can’t help it. She can’t turn a blind eye to everything the spoilt brat does.
Emma was the kind of girl who says her mind without sugarcoating it or feigning ignorance. She does things according to what she thinks was best.
Ginny has been on her phone all throu-ghthe journey to this place and Emma has tried her best to ignore her and act like everything is okay. However, she had expected the girl to be smart enough to know that now was not the right time to be chatting with friends. They were here to work and not play. But of course, what was she expecting from a rude spoilt brat like Ginny, a girl who has no home training at all?
“You heard me, okay? I do understand why you keep picking at everything I do. Mind your damn business and stay out of mine!”
“Ginny,” Robert called out, getting tired of the constant fight between the two girls.
Ginny turned to look at him, a smile on her face as she blus-hed. “Yes, handsome?”
“We are going to work, can you keep your phone aside?” He asked in a polite tone, trying his best not to snap out at her or sound rude. The girl was beginning to piss him off.
She ran the tip of her tongue over her li-ps, seductively. “Well, since you are the one who asked. Sure.” She dropped her phone inside her handbag. “Are you okay now?”
“Hmm.”
Emma rolled her eyes and rang the doorbell.
“Are you okay?” Robert whispered into her ear so Ginny wouldn’t hear.
“I hate her,” Emma whispered back as someone from inside open the door. She heard Robert chuckle over her reply but didn’t say anything else to him as she focused her attention on the young woman standing in front of them.
“Good afternoon, how may I help you?” She asked.
“Good afternoon. I am Detective Emma,” She flashed her work ID card. “And this is,” She motioned at Robert standing beside her.
“Detective Robert.” Robert introduced himself and also flashed his ID.
The woman nodded and settled her gaze on Ginny, expecting an introduction from her also because the young lady doesn’t look anything like a detective.
“Oh,” Ginny exclaimed as if just realizing that the woman was looking at her. “I am Ginny.”
“Are you with them?” She asked.
“Yes.”
“She is an intern,” Emma added. “Sorry to ask but what is your name?”
“Daisy. I am the housekeeper of this house. Please come in, my boss has been expecting you guys.” She opened the door wider and stepped out of the way for them to enter.
“Thank you.” Robert and Emma said in sync as they stepped inside the house alongside Ginny who took out her phone and started taking pictures of the interior decor. Most of the furniture was made of gold and white. It was amazing and beautiful.
Daisy frowned at the girl. “Please pictures are not allowed.”
Ginny pinched her brows together. “And why not?”
“Because it is against the rules.”
“Who made such a stupid rule about no pictures taken in the house? You? Aren’t you just a housekeeper?”
“Caution this bit-ch because I swear I’m going to slap her at the back of the head.” Emma whispered to Robert, shooting daggers at Ginny who continued splattering out nonsense without reasoning.
“Ginny,” Robert called throu-ghclenched teeth, giving Daisy an apologetic look.
“What? You saw her talking down on me. Didn’t you?” Ginny growled.
“She only asked you to stop taking pictures. You can’t just come to somebody’s house and start taking pictures without their permission.” He said.
“But…” She tried to argue back but a man’s voice interrupted her.
“You must be Detective Emma and Robert,” He said, stretching out his hand for a handshake toward Emma.
“Yes, I am.” Emma smiled and shook his hands. So did Robert.
“It’s nice to meet you two. I am Mr. Sherlock.” He moved his gaze to Ginny and frowned. “Sorry, I don’t think I know who you are.”
“Oh, she is with us.” Emma quickly said before Ginny would open her mouth and vomit out rubbish again without thinking like a reasonable human being.
“I see. What is your name?”
“Ginny,” Robert answered as well for her.
Mr. Sherlock gave them a suspicious look before shrugging it off. “Alright then. Come with me.” He led them to the main living room.
The house was a true definition of heaven on earth. From the ceilings to the floor were all made of gold. Even the chandelier. It was clean and spotless.
Daisy can’t be the only housekeeper in this house considering how neat the whole house was. The house sparkled and screamed riches and power.
He sat down and signaled for them to do the same which they did.
“Permit me to say this,” Ginny began. “your house is amazing. I could die here and will have no regret.”
Mr. Sherlock chuckled. “Thank you, dear. But I don’t think I want you or anyone to die here.”
“Let’s go right into business, right?” Emma raised a questioning brow.
“Oh, yes.”
“We are going to ask you a few questions,” Robert stated as he brou-ght out a book and a pen. “How many days has the jewelry been missing?”
“Two days.”
“Do you have anybody in mind that could have done this?” Emma asked as she scribbled down his earlier answer.
“To be honest, no.” He shook his head.
“Where was the jewelry before it went missing?” Robert asked the next question.
“Up in the room where most of the jewelry is kept.” He pointed upstairs.
“No has access to the room aside from you?” Emma questioned.
“Just my wife and children.” He replied.
“Where are they right now?”
“My wife went out with a friend. While one of my children is also not around but_” Just then a young man of the same age as them descended the stairs while scrolling throu-ghhis phone and drinking from a cup of orange juice. He was handsome but nothing compared to Robert. He was yet to notice them. “there he is. Stephen, that’s his name.”
“Mr. Stephen,” Emma called out, grabbing the guy’s attention just as he got to the bottom of the stairs. She stood up, rubbing her palms over her black jeans. “Hi.”
“Hi. Who are you?” He asked, looking over to Robert and Ginny.
“I am Detective Emma and those are my partners, Detective Robert and_” She almost wanted to skip the part of introducing Ginny. “intern Ginny.”
“Okay? Wait,” Stephen walked to stand in front of his father. “You called the cops?”
“What do you want me to do? Just let it go?”
“Dad, you are rich and a piece of jewelry means absolutely nothing to you. Why are you making a big deal out of nothing?”
“I would have kept quiet if it was any other jewelry but not that particular piece I got for your mother for our thirty-fifth anniversary. It means a lot to both of us.”
“Get another. And leave the cops out of it. You are bigger than this, Dad.”
“Stephen, if you are not going to help me then stay out of it. You’ve been asking me to keep the cops out of the case and honestly, you are beginning to make me feel like you have something to do with the disappearance of the jewelry. You’ve always been the extravagant one out of all my children anyway.”
“That is offensive,” Stephen said. “Are you trying to call me a thief?”
Mr. Sherlock did not say anything.
Emma cleared her throat, grabbing the guy’s attention. “I’m sorry, Mr. Stephen but we will like to ask you a few questions.”
He creased his brows as he stared between his father and Emma. “So what? You also suspect me of the theft. Is that it?”
“No, of course. We just want to hear your side of the story, that’s all.” She corrected.
Stephen folded his arms over his broad chest and nodded his head, “Alright then. Ask me.”
“Thank you,” She turned to look at her partner. “Do you want to go first?”
Robert stood up. “Yes, please.”
“Okay.” She stepped back, letting Robert take charge.
“Were you present for the party?” Robert threw his first question at the boy standing in front of him.
“Is that even a question?” Stephen rolled his eyes. “My parents were the host of the party, of course, I have to be present.”
“Did you go to the room where the jewelry was kept at any point during the party?”
“I am not going to answer that question, detective.”
“You have to.”
“No, I’m not. That’s crazy. You all think I am the culprit, isn’t that right? I can’t even believe that my father will think so low of me.” He huffed.
Mr. Sherlock let out a de-ep breath. “I didn’t call you a thief, Stephen. You are my son and if you needed a piece of jewelry, you would have simply asked instead of stealing it. I just_” He hesitated. “you kept insisting that I stop looking for the jewelry and I shouldn’t involve the cops, what do you expect me to think, huh?”
“I don’t want you to stress yourself over this issue, Dad. I was only acting like a good son. I have no bad intention whatsoever.” He said.
While everyone was discussing, Ginny was busy taking pictures and posting them on her Instagram page, letting the whole world know that she was in the almighty Sherlock’s golden mansion.
“I believe you,” Emma spoke aloud. “We all do.”
Stephen held her gaze for a while before sighing and running his fingers throu-ghhis hair. “I left the party at some point to talk to a friend on the phone but I swear I didn’t go anywhere near the room.”
“Mr. Sherlock,”
“Yes, Detective Emma?”
“Can you remember most of the people invited to the party?” She asked.
“Yes. They were all businessmen and women. And a few family members.”
“How many guests?” Robert asked.
“Approximately…uhm…fifty.” He replied.
“Whoa, that’s a lot.” Emma exclaimed, shaking her head as she scribbled the number on her notepad. “Honestly, this is going to be difficult being the fact that the jewelry has been missing for over two days.”
Stephen had his eyes on Emma as she spoke. Robert noticed but didn’t say anything.
“I wished I had figured it out earlier. It would have been easy that way.” He muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, please you don’t have to apologize about anything, sir. We are going to do our best and fish out the culprit.”
“That necklace means a lot to my wife and me. It is more like a…how do I even put it?” He thought of the right word to use. “Treasure.”
“It is a necklace?” Emma repeated and Sherlock nodded his head. “Who else knows what kind of jewelry it is?”
“No one aside from my wife and I and children.” He shrugged.
“What about your maids? Don’t they go into the room to clean?” She asked.
“Nah. I don’t let anyone that isn’t family in that room. I can’t trust anyone with a room full of gold, you know?”
Emma nodded her head, jotting down something once again on her notepad. “I understand, Mr. Sherlock.”
‘Why does he keep staring at her like that?’ Robert thought to himself, glaring at Stephen who wouldn’t just take his eyes off Emma.
Emma turned her gaze to Ginny, “Intern,”
Ginny did not answer, she was texting away on her phone.
“Ginny,” Robert called and that pulled the girl out of her phone to look at everyone in the room. “What are you doing?”
“What? Me?” She shook her head. “Nothing.”
“What do you think about this case?” Emma asked, knowing fully well that the girl has not been paying attention at all.
“Well…I…uhm…” Her phone trailed off.
“Did you take any notes at all? Wait, have you even been paying attention?”
Ginny rolled her eyes, not saying anything.
‘God, I don’t know what I’m going to do with this brat.’ She said in her head.
“Actually,” Stephen began as everyone’s eyes moved to him. His eyes well solely on Emma as he spoke his next word. “I have a confession to make.”
TBC.