32 - Her mother's death

Abigail's POV.

I rushed inside the restaurant that was sent to me by Baron. He told me about the information he discovered. He wanted me to meet the investigator by myself to avoid conflict if ever Hilary and Gerald secretly hired a person to follow us around. Wearing a scarf around my head and glasses, I looked around to see a man who looked like an investigator.

I walked towards the man reading a newspaper at the side. I sat down at the empty chair before pulling the newspaper down to catch his attention.

The investigator smiled, “You must be Abigail McAdams. Hi, I'm David. Baron hired me.”

“Nice meeting you,” I said. “Let's get down to business, shall we?”

“Sure. That's what we came here for.” He began taking folders out of his suitcase and showed me everything.

I didn't waste any more time and read every important information written on the document. My hands shake in what I'm reading, and I can't stop my tears from forming.

But I bravely stood before turning to him and asked, “This is wrong. My mother died in a car accident, so how come there's foul play?”

“Exactly. The car crash was made, Ma'am. I inspected the car your mother was using, and I found some loose wiring. It was like someone sabotaged it, and when she came across that truck, the brake didn't work, and she crashed into it.”

“But—” I wiped my face in frustration, not thinking that someone would want to kill my mother. But for what? What did my mother do to deserve this cruelty?

“What else did you find?” I questioned.

“Well, her death seemed planned.”

“What do you mean?”

He leaned forward and explained, “What I mean is, she was killed, and it's not an accident. Someone might want to kill her desperately and ensure she won't live, so my conclusion is your mother has an enemy.”

“That is impossible. My parents are good people, and everyone loves them, so how could someone hate them and even plan to kill them?”

He shrugged, “I don't know. But I know for sure that enemies are sometimes close to us; sometimes, they are secretly watching us. We can't predict who can be our enemy.”

Those words sink into my mind, causing me to remember how my father met Priscilla. They met one year after my mother died, and I was surprised when my father told me about it. My father knew Priscilla from a business trip they made, so they became close when my mother died, and he decided it was time for a second marriage.

I was entirely against my father's desire, but for his happiness, I agreed, even though it was not long enough for him to get married. However, seeing how happy my father was on Priscilla's side convinced me that my dad needed someone to rely on after the tragedy we went through. I thought Priscilla would be his great companion, but as soon as they got married, she immediately introduced her daughter, whom I hadn't met when my dad introduced Priscilla.

Her life was a complete puzzle to me, especially since my dad knew that she had a daughter and I didn't. Until Priscilla decided to show her true colors after one year of their marriage, my dad didn't do anything about it. My father thought Priscilla was trying to be a mother figure to me, although she's not. That's why I became blind to my husband's unfaithfulness and thought he could change when I got pregnant, but it was just a hope that never happened.

Everything was put into place, and now someone discovers that my mother was killed and didn't die from an accident. My suspicion that Gerald, Hillary, and Priscilla were behind my father's death, too, grew more assertive.

“Can I ask you a question, Ms McAdams?”

I nodded, “Yes.”

“Baron was so concerned about you, and I know you're wondering why I'm calling him by his name. Well, if you don't ask, he's my colleague, and we're friends. He wants a trustworthy person to handle your mother's case without getting caught by your enemies, so I'm telling you right now that whoever killed your mother was still in your life.”

I immediately turned to him, confused by what he said because he seemed to know something that I didn't. “What are you trying to imply, David?”

“Everything happens for a reason. Your mother died in a car accident while your father died from an illness, which is not true. Those people behind your mother's death might be behind your father's death too, so don't trust anyone.”

I got even more confused and asked him to answer my perplexed mind, “I don't know what you mean. You sound like you know something, and I don't. Is there something I need to know?”

“For now, nothing. I'm an investigator, Ms McAdams. It's my job confusing you because it was more fun, I guess.”

“Well, you're messing my mind up.”

He chuckled, “Sorry. Anyway, do you know someone who could do such a thing to your parents?”

“I—” I was immediately cut off when my phone rang. “Excuse me.”

“Sure. Take your time.”

I reach for my phone inside my purse and see who the caller is. It was Gerald. But why is he calling me? He let me take a day off and promised not to call me, but he seemed to be having trouble dealing with the company.

“Yes?” I asked after I answered the call.

[Hey, Abby.]

“Hey. What's up?”

[Oh, nothing. Just making sure you're alright. How is your day off?]

I sighed softly, “Good, I guess.”

[Uh, quick question. I was in the bank to withdraw money for our upcoming event, and the bank told me I need to get a letter of permission with your signature before they can give me money.]

“Yes, you do.”

[Why?]

“I beg your pardon?”

[I mean, why? Don't you trust me anymore?] He asked, feeling frustrated because I issued that kind of rule.

I chuckled, “No, silly. It applies to all of us. CEO, COO, and also CFO.”

[Oh, I see.]

“What do you need the money for?” I inquired.

[Since we're facing this kind of problem, Abigail. I decided to throw a party and invite new investors to our company,] he explained.

“That's a great idea.”

[Thanks. Can I get permission now?]

“Of course! I will tell my secretary to bring it to your office.”

[Thanks! Have fun with your day off!]

“I will.” I ended the call and turned my gaze back to the man sitting before me.

“Forgive me if I'm entering your private life, but who is it?”

“My ex-husband.”

“So, he's the COO.”

“I don't have a choice. The board members don't want to cooperate and wanted me to put that as*hole back to the company.”

“I see. So, have you thought of a person who could do such a thing?”

My eyes landed on my phone, and suddenly a thought came in, “Yes.”

“Great. Who it might be?” He questioned.

“David,” I murmured his name.

“Yes, Ma'am.”

“Are you up to follow Hilary and inform me of her every move?” I asked, offering him a job.

“I don't know who she is, but it depends on how much you could pay me.”

I smirked, “I like you. You know how to do business. That's exactly what I'm looking for, David.”

“Thanks. I learn that from the best. Well, is Hilary cute? Perhaps gorgeous? It would be easy for me to follow her if she's an easy target.”

“Oh, you will love her. Trust me, David.”