????ABIGAIL
INOCENCIO????
(The Murderer….)
By, Precious Pinky
CHAPTER 77&78
••••
{ TROUBLE IN PARADISE }
“Thelma is missing.” He proclaimed.
“What!?”
______
“How? When?” Emma asked all at once, looking beyond surprised.
“Calm down, will ya?”
“Don’t tell me to stay calm, Robert. This information is huge. When did she go missing?”
He shrugged.
“I don’t know. But it’s over 24 hours. However, her mother reported the case this morning. None of their family members or her friends know of her whereabouts.” He explained.
“Oh, God. Do you think her disappearance is related to the murders in Santos Hospital?”
“Honestly, nothing is impossible anymore.” He responded.
••••
“Felicia,” Mrs. Hart called out calmly, sitting down beside her daughter. “I brought juice for you.”
“Oh, mother. You shouldn’t have.” She collected the glass of orange juice from her mother and dropped it on the small table beside her.
“You’ve been sulking since you dropped by here, child. Is everything okay?”
Felicia nodded her head as a yes, avoiding her mother’s gaze.
“You are lying.” Mrs. Hart accused.
“Wow, Mom. That was too direct.” Felicia stated, rolling her eyes.
“You shouldn’t have lied in the first place then. Something is definitely wrong with you. Talk to me, dear. What happened?”
“I’m not lying about anything, Mother. I’m really telling the truth that everything is fine.” She lied and started fiddling with her fingers.
“You know, if you wanted to lie, you should at least be more convincing.”
“What do you mean?”
“You love orange juice and look,” Mrs. Hart gestured at the untouched glass of juice on the table. “You didn’t even take a sip of the freshly squeezed juice. Your favorite. Secondly, you always fiddle with your fingers whenever you are troubled, scared, or nervous. Which you are doing now.”
Felicia instantly stopped fiddling with her fingers and let out a deep breath.
“I know you too well, Felicia. You are my daughter, after all.” She added.
“Mom…” Felicia breathed out, raising her gaze to look into her mother’s eyes. “I am confused about what to do,” She started opening up. “The burden in my chest is making it very difficult for me to breathe. I feel… dead, Mother.”
“Dead?” Worry and fear clouded the woman as she shifted closer to her child. “What is wrong? Are you sick?”
“I wish that was the case but no, I’m not sick.” She answered.
“So what are you saying? Please be more specific. I am beginning to get worried and frightened.”
It was silent for over three minutes until Felicia found the courage to tell her mother the truth about her burden.
“My husband cheated on me.”
Mrs. Hart’s eyes bulged out and her mouth was hanging open. She couldn’t believe what she just heard.
Who cheated on who? She pondered.
“I don’t understand. What are you talking about? Who did you say cheated?” She asked again, just to be sure she heard her daughter correctly the first time.
“Marshall cheated on me, Mother.” Felicia cried out.
“What did you just say?” Mr. Hart’s angry voice boomed from behind, grabbing the attention of his wife and daughter.
••••
≤!≥I already confessed≤!≥ He remembered Sandra’s words in the parking lot.
≤!≥And oh, I made sure to tell them who my accomplices were. You and Thelma should get ready for questioning in the station alongside me≤!≥
Marshall took another gulp of whiskey, drinking straight from the bottle.
He was in a complete mess. And it was all Sandra’s fault.
How was she able to confess to the cop? What or who gave her the courage to do that?
The abyss of his life was shattering right in front of him and he doesn’t know what to do to save it.
How can his life turn upside down in the twinkle of the eyes?
Can life be more cruel?
≤!≥I regret ever siding with a man like you to fight my beloved brother. I regret loving you≤!≥ Felicia’s words rang over and over again in his head, making him groan as he took another gulp of whiskey.
≤!≥Very soon…I will figure out what to do about you≤!≥
What if she decides on getting a divorce?
“No, no. I can’t divorce Felicia. She is all I have in this world.” He mumbled in tears. “What do I do?”
Felicia and her family were his hope, the light in his darkness.
He was a nobody until he found love in the sight of Felicia.
If not for her love that saved him, he would have still been in the street, struggling for food to eat. Or even worse, he could have been dead.
He owes them for who he is now.
F**k. How did he betray her this way? What was he when thinking to cheat on an amazing woman like his dear wife?
She was ready to sacrifice her all for him. She even supported him against her brother.
He took her love for granted. And now that he was regretting his actions, he wonder if it was already too late.
••••
“Father, please calm down.” Felicia begged, using her body to block the door.
“Step aside.” He growled.
“No!” She abruptly shook her head, tears falling from her eyes, uncontrollably.
“Don’t make me do something I will regret. I said step aside!” He snapped and started coughing.
“Honey,” His wide rushed to his side and started stroking his back. “You have to calm down.”
“Calm down?” He repeated. “Didn’t you hear what our daughter has just told us?”
“I heard everything, dear. But don’t forget you are not healthy enough to argue with anybody.”
“Mother is right, Father. You have to stay calm. I will take care of Marshall myself.” Felicia assured.
“How?” He snarled. “How are you going to take care of him? Tell me.”
“I…I… I’m going to divorce him.” She announced.
Mr. Hart stopped moving and stared deep into her eyes.
“You will?”
She nodded her head. “That’s the decision I’ve come up with, Father. I’ve been thinking about what to do since I found out about his infidelity. And I think it’s best I end the marriage.”
“Are you sure you aren’t going to regret it?” Mrs. Hart questioned.
“Mom, I love my husband but I can’t be with him. How am I going to cope with living under the same roof with him and knowing what he did? I can’t breathe in the same air as him. I can’t…”
“I support you.” Mr. Hart stated. “I will always support whatever decision you take, my love. As long as they are not stupid.”
She chuckled, fresh tears rolling down her face.
“Thank you, Father.”
“Come here,” He spread out his arms and she hurriedly ran into them, embracing him wholeheartedly. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She cried.
Mrs. Hart joined the embrace as well.
“I support you as well. If divorcing Marshall will make you happy and have peace of mind then go for it. I am solidly behind you.”
“Oh, Mother. Thank you so much.”
They stayed in each other’s arms for a few more minutes before Mr. Hart pulled away.
“But that doesn’t mean I won’t give that bastard a piece of my mind. I will make sure he pays dearly for hurting you like this. He won’t know what hit him.”
“Don’t forget he is the father of your grandkids, Dad.” Felicia said, wiping off the tears on her face.
He rolled his eyes. “I don’t care. He needs to be taught some manners.”
••••
Ginny entered the office, mumbling incoherent words to herself with a hard look on her face.
“Are you okay?” Robert asked.
“No, I’m not.” She grunted. “I’m so pissed off right now. Do you know why he called me over to his office?”
“Well, we don’t know. But I’m sure he said something that made you angry.” Emma retorted.
“Obviously!” Ginny threw her hands up in the air and sunk into the chair beside Robert. “He called me over to insist that I stop the investigation.”
“What investigation?” Emma asked.
“The investigation that was given to Team 1.” She breathed out.
“And what did you tell him?” Robert queried.
“Of course, I refused. He doesn’t even know that Minty’s case is likewise related to the murders in the hospital.”
“He would take the case away from us if he knows. That’s why we must be very careful when handling it so he wouldn’t know a thing.”
Robert and Ginny only nodded their heads.
“Have you told her about the autopsy result?” Ginny asked Robert.
“Yup. And I also told her about the missing case.” He answered.
“What are we going to do now?”
Emma cupped her forehead, twirling a pen over get fingers while biting her bottom lip.
“I have something to say,” Robert muttered, grabbing the girls’ attention.
“What is it?” They asked.
“Concerning Minty’s phone, I know someone that can help us hack into the phone.” He said.
“Really?” Ginny gasped.
“Yes.”
“And you are just telling us now?” Emma groaned.
Robert scratched the nape of his neck, seeming nervous about something.
Emma noticed and turned to face Ginny.
“Hey, can you get coffee for us?”
“Are you kidding me? Why should I do that?”
“Because I am the team leader and you are to do whatever I ask you. Now, run along.”
“No, I’m not going.” Ginny said stubbornly.
“If you don’t go, I’m going to take you out of the investigation. And feel free to tell your father because trust me, I will convince him and get back the case and you won’t be on it.” Emma threatened.
Ginny glared at her, slowly coming up to her feet.
“I hate you!”
“The feeling is mutual, bratty.”
Ginny stormed out of the office.
Finally, they were alone.
“Is it Richard?” She asked him and he nodded his head. “You know there is something I will like to tell you. I don’t know how you would react to it but…” She paused. “Just know it’s because I care about you.”
Robert gave her a curious look, impatiently waiting for her to start talking already and stop building the tension.
“Richard and Tessa visited me yesterday evening.”
“What?”
“Shocking, right? I was damn surprised as well, trust me.” She chuckled nervously.
“What is wrong with Richard? Why would he take Tessa to your house?”
“That’s because the person who actually wanted to see me was her.”
“How do you mean?”
“They came to me to ask me to plead with you for your forgiveness.”
“Huh? My forgiveness?”
“Tessa. Your sister. Aren’t you going to forgive her?” She asked.
“No.” He deadpanned.
“Robert, I know you are still mad at your sister but don’t forget the Bible quotation ‘to hare is human and to forgive is divine’ I am not asking you to forgive and forget. I am asking you to forgive and move on from the past. Free your heart of the pain, Robby.”
“You don’t understand. She hurt me, Emma. I can’t believe she will have the nerve to meet with you and ask you to plead on her behalf.” He stated.
“Robert,” She reached out to hold his hand from across the table. “You still love your sister, don’t you?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know…”
“Let go of the past, Robby. Please. Not just for her sake but for your sake as well. You deserve to be happy.” She whispered to him, squeezing his hand lightly.
Robert sniffled, blinking away the tears in his eyes. “I will think about it.”
She smiled. “Okay. So while you think about forgiving your sister, why don’t you iron things out with your best friend.”
“Nah,” He shook his head in disagreement, frowning.
“I wouldn’t have minded if we don’t need his brain right now. So you better forget the fight you have with him and ask for his help. Here,” She gave him Minty’s phone that was still in the TEB bag. “He must crack the password of this phone before tomorrow morning. I don’t care how you do it to make it up to him. I will be expecting good news.”
Ginny entered the office, holding a cup holder with three cups of coffee.
“Here is the damn coffee. Did the both of you gossip about me?”
“You wish.” Emma scoffed, snatching one cup of coffee for herself.
“So what about the phone…” Ginny asked, sitting down.
“Robert is going to give the brainy that’s going to crack the password or hack into the phone. I don’t know how he’s going to do it but we need to go through that phone somehow.”
“What about Thelma’s disappearance, what are we going to do about that?” Robert asked.
“Well, we just need to know the last place she visited. We will simply start from there.” Emma answered with a slight shrug.
“So while I try to convince Richard and get this phone hacked, the both of you are going to investigate the last place Thelma visited, right?” Robert said.
“Yes.” Emma nodded her head.
••••
DING DONG!
The sound of the doorbell filled the house and Tessa hurriedly walked out of the kitchen and headed towards the front door.
She unlocked the door and pulled it open, thinking it was her boyfriend but she was stunned to see her brother instead.
“Robert?” She said questioningly, looking at him from head to toe. “Am I daydreaming or are you for real right now?”
He rolled his eyes. “Is Richard in?”
“No. He hasn’t returned home yet. But you can wait for him, he will be home soon. He usually closes work by_”
“I know. He was my best friend before you stole him away from me.” He snapped.
“Oh. I’m sorry.” Tessa apologized, lowering her gaze.
“You know what, I will take my leave.” He turned around to go when he remembered Emma’s words.
≤!≥I wouldn’t have minded if we don’t need his brain right now. So you better forget the fight you have with him and ask for his help≤!≥
He sighed, ruffling his hair, and turned back around to face his sister.
“Can I wait for him?” He asked, politely.
“Yes, yes, yes. Of course. Please come in.” She said, opening the door wide enough for him to enter.
••••
Robert sat down on the couch, scrolling through his phone while his sister was in the kitchen, brewing tea, which he didn’t ask for, for him.
She was doing everything possible to make him comfortable but Robert was ignoring all of her efforts. He wouldn’t say a word to her or even acknowledge her presence.
He just can’t bring himself to forgive her and forget about the past.
Though, Emma told him to forgive his sister and move on from the past but it wasn’t as easy as they all think it is.
“Ahh!” He heard a scream from the kitchen.
Robert sprang up from the couch and ran into the kitchen. Tessa was on the floor, crying while blowing air on her hand.
“What happened? Are you alright?” He rushed to her side, snatching her hand to see what the problem is.
She had burnt herself while brewing tea for him.
“What the f**k is your problem!?” He snapped. “Why are you so careless, huh? Who asked you to brew tea for me? Look at your hand now. Where the hell is the first aid? Wait here,” He looked around the kitchen locker until he found the first-aid kit in the cupboard.
He collected it and went back to his sister.
“Let me see,” He started applying ointment, blowing air to her hand. “You should always be careful. I don’t know what I’m going to do about you. So careless.” He huffed. “Does it hurt?” He lifted his gaze to her face and saw her staring at him, tears trailing down her face. “It hurts, doesn’t it?”
“Maybe I should have hurt myself earlier if I knew you were going to react like this, Robert.” She said.
“What?” He quickly backed away from her. “I…I…”
“It doesn’t hurt compared to how much my heart aches. I deserve your anger and hate for me, Robert but please,” She knelt in front of him, crying uncontrollably now. “I beg you with our parents’ grave, forgive me.”
≤!≥I am not asking you to forgive and forget. I am asking you to forgive and move on from the past. Free your heart of the pain, Robby≤!≥ Emma’s words rang in his head.
“Robert, please.” She pleaded.
They heard the sound of the door unlocking and then, Richard’s voice.
“Babe!” He called out.
Robert scurried to his feet and walked out of the kitchen, leaving his sister behind without saying anything to her.
“Holy crap. Robert! What are you doing here?” Richard asked, his eyes wide open.
“I came here for business. Let’s talk in your room.” Robert grabbed his hand and led him upstairs to his bedroom.
••••
Emma dashed inside the house in anger, looking around for her best friend.
“Abby!” She shouted.
Abigail stepped out of her room and stared down at Emma from upstairs.
“Hey, Emma. You are back. Why were you screaming my name like that?”
Emma ascended the stairs and approached Abby.
“Why didn’t you tell me that Thelma dropped by here at our house?”
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, girl. What did you even discuss with her? And why didn’t you tell me about it?”
“Oh, shit. I forgot, I swear. Yes, she dropped by the house a few days ago.”
“What did the both of you discuss?”
“She confessed about seeing Sandra that night in the hospital and she told me that Marshall wanted her to set me up but she couldn’t do it. She also said someone called her to threaten her. And when I asked what the voice sounded like, she said the person used a voice changer to speak with her so she doesn’t know whether it’s a male or female. But then again, she told me something very interesting…”
“What?”
“She said she doesn’t suspect Sandra of the murders but someone else.”
“Really? Who?”
“She didn’t say. She got a phone call and then… left.” Abby narrated. “I’m sorry for not telling you about this earlier. I forgot. But how did you know Thelma came here?”
Emma sighed. “She is missing.”
“What?”
“During the investigation, I got to know that she came by to our house.”
“Oh, God. How could she be missing? For how long?”
“Since the moment she left this house. If she isn’t found, you will be the prime suspect of kidnap, Abby.”
TBC.