Chapter 17 — Desire

The desire to kill has been ingrained into the human mind since eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge—others believe it was already innate in us. The switch to turn it on varies from time to time, but it is there. It may have begun during the time Cain wanted to kill his brother, Abel—acting out of jealousy and anger. Lurking and waiting to snap open. When Hattie Johnson was shot, I felt it ignite within me for an odd reason. I may not have remembered her, but deep inside, sorrow and anger bubbled, bursting out of my lithe body as I knelt down to examine her. Trying to find out how to stop her from bleeding to death as her eyes stared back at me in shock.

The world around me was a mere echo as I tried to tell her it was all right, that help was on its way. But my lips couldn’t move, and no words formed. My hands smoothened out her brunette hair stained with her own blood as it pooled around her. Hattie looked like she wanted to tell me something for the last time. I held onto her hand, squeezing it as she fought hard to speak. All that came out were soft wheezing and gasps. And then, silence.

Hattie Johnson was dead in an instant after a bullet went through her neck. It was a shot to kill, not to subdue. And the person who fired it wasn’t the police, but Cedric’s security team. Hattie, who had given up on her nasty agenda, was shot and killed without trial. Treated like a wild animal amongst others.

“H-Hattie?” Shaking her lifeless body, I lowered my ear to see whether she was still breathing. A hope, little it may be, remained at the chance of her being revived. Yet, I heard none. Hands quivering, fat tears rolled down my cheeks as I shook my head at the reality presented to me. This wasn’t what I wanted to occur. Hattie may have been an annoyance, but I did not want her dead. “No, no, no… You can’t be dead, right? I-I didn’t think this would happen. W-who shot her?!” Sharply turning to the men in black uniform, I glared at them despite my eyes were filled with tears.

None of them responded, shooing those who dared to take photos of the lifeless body displayed for everyone to see. But no one cried out of the injustice suffered by Hattie. I could see some rejoicing at the corner, whispering how a menace has been prevented and that one malicious life snuffed out could contribute to a safer world.

The police had finally arrived along with an ambulance. But they were too late to save Hattie Johnson’s life nor prevented the whole situation from escalating that led up to this unfortunate event.

This fueled my anger as I got up from the pavement, approaching them with huge steps to get an answer from them when I was pulled back by none other than Cedric Dixon. Blue eyes glossy in worry as he searched me up and down for any wound. “Are you all right, Reese? I was so worried when I got a call that someone was threatened by a knife to the neck at the entrance. I was sure my heart stopped for a moment when they said it was you.”

Cedric…

Recognizing it was him and not a total stranger, sobs racked my being as I clung to him. Hiding my distraught face into his chest from the crowd encircled around Hattie’s bleeding body. He silently held me, embracing me as I cried. The turn of events wasn’t what I expected—Hattie arrived out of desperation, then killed without remorse.

She wasn’t even armed when she was shot! How could they?!

“This isn’t fair! S-she let go of her knife, C-Cedric! Yet they still shot her. They shot an unarmed woman!” Peeking out, I stared at Hattie’s unmoving form in disbelief. She was truly dead and there wasn’t anything more to do. This fueled the rage within me, countless questions sprung up in my mind as they drowned my rationality. “M-maybe she can still be saved? Quick, we have to send her to the hospital—”

“She wasn’t unarmed, Reese.” Cedric’s tone was grave, pulling me back to his arms to prevent me from going near Hattie. “She pointed a knife to your throat. The woman was dangerous!” Cupping my flushed face, he stared into my eyes with a solemn expression. “She was trying to kill you. Anyone would have restrained or shot her out of warning when they had the chance.”

“But she already dropped her knife, Cedric! I talked to her, and she let it go! I had it already. She only wanted to talk—”

“There, there. You might have imagined it, Reese.” Tightening his embrace, he sighed while patting my head. “Perhaps she was trying to kill you when you let your guard down. I heard she reached into her bag before she was shot. Who knows, she may have another weapon inside it.”

“She was—”

“Reese, she came here to hurt you and only you. If that doesn’t prove that she is out here to murder you intentionally, perhaps you have forgotten that she came all the way out here, waiting for you to show up with a knife hidden? Maybe she had been stalking you for a while and had been planning to dispatch you since then.” At Cedric’s words, my gaze shifted to Hattie then back to him. Arguing with Cedric is akin to talking to a brick wall—there was no point in telling him that he was either right or wrong for what was the purpose? Hattie is dead and there was no other way to bring her back to life unless some miracle happens. However, the truth didn’t ease my sadness as I still cried silently in his arms. “There, there… Don’t worry too much about it, okay? I’m sure the police and other law enforcers will handle this properly. If you want, I can pay for her burial. Would that make you feel better?”

The answer remained at the tip of my tongue as Hattie’s bag caught my attention. It was a few feet away from her, but due to the increase of people wanting to see what was interrupting other’s daily routine, it was left askew at the side. Not wanting to distract anyone, I loosened my grip on Cedric as I wiped my tears.

Maybe if I show them that the bag is empty, Cedric’s security team may face scrutiny… But if I do that, Cedric’s company might face disapproval.

“Reese, do you want water?” Cedric inquired, pulling out a handkerchief to help wipe away my tears and snot that came along with it. I wasn’t thirsty, but I nodded along to his whim. Smiling comfortingly, he excused himself as he disappeared into the crowd.

I must find out first.

Slipping through people, I took Hattie’s back from the ground and began searching its contents. Inside were Hattie’s wallet, makeup, IDs, a USB, and an envelope. No weapon was inside other than the knife she used earlier. Eyes shutting at the reality, I was about to present it to the police when realization dawned upon me on what the envelope may hold.

I-Isn’t this the proof she told me she had? Wait a minute, can I even look at it? Hattie wanted me to…

Inhaling sharply, I took the USB and envelope. Upon having it in my hands, I stared at my name taped on the USB with wide eyes.

Why does it look so ominous yet harmless at the same time?

“Miss? What do you have there?’

One of the police officers came up to me, eyes staring at the bag in my hands. Biting my lower lip, sweat rolled down my forehead as I weighed my options.

If I give this to them and it’s proven that Hattie was shot with no remorse, Cedric may face the consequences along with the men he hired.

Cedric is innocent.

But if I don’t, Hattie will forever be seen as a criminal.

Hattie?

And if I don’t… Cedric’s business and the security team will be seen as heroes. Yet, Hattie never meant to harm me...

She tried to kill you.

She was desperate.

She wanted to harm you!

“Miss?”

Snapping out of a stupor, I immediately handed them the bag, seeing it fit. “It’s… It’s her bag, officer. I opened it to check whether there really was another weapon inside, but it turns out there was none. Officer, they shot her thinking she was going to pull out another… What’s going to happen to them?” I shouldn’t have expected much, for the officer merely shrugged as he took Hattie’s bag.

“We will find out in due time, Miss. This is not your average case and with how fast everything happened, the process will take longer. The criminal is dead, but as you say, she didn’t harm you in the end.”

“Officer, she isn’t a criminal.”

He laughed at my correction “You’re too kind for your own good, Miss. Despite having a blade on your throat, you don’t see her as one. There’s a fine line between kindness and naivety.” While shaking his head, he tipped his hat in goodbye. No one bothered to ask whether the USB and envelope belonged to me, or the deceased waitress being carried to the ambulance. The white cloth covered her lifeless body, and I hoped that her eyes were closed to signify she was peaceful.

How ironic… She was killed with shock written all over her face, yet she lies there with the most serene look on her face. Don’t worry, Hattie. Those who killed you will receive their karma—

“Reese, I’m back.”

Carrying a bottled water, Cedric was grinning as he came up to me while uncapping it. I hurriedly hid the USB in my pocket and put on an unsuspecting smile, hoping he wouldn’t question the folder.

Damn it. He’ll be curious for sure!

“Thank you,” I mumbled as I took the water, taking languid sips. His blue eyes were instantly on the folder I tried to hide unsuccessfully by placing it under my right armpit. I was sure I started sweating profusely for no reason. What was there to hide? Do I believe that Hattie has an incriminating evidence against Cedric? This can’t be since the car accident was merely just that, an accident. There was no need to keep it from him or be suspicious of the man. But why was I nervous?

Cedric is innocent—

“What’s that folder?”

“F-folder? Oh, you mean this?” I pointed at the object after drinking. “Well, one of the department managers came by, was on his way home, until he saw me. Yeah, he gave it to me and said it was important stuff.” There was no problem and coming up with excuses seemed unlikely. Yet, here I was, spouting nonsense so he wouldn’t take a look. Cedric’s mere reaction was to smile, patting me on the back.

“I see. Even after a traumatic incident, you’re still working hard.” Hands on his hips, he laughed. “But not for long. Once we’re in Italy, you’re going to relax and take it easy. It’s Christmas, after all!”

My laugh was weak, nodding and humming in agreement. “Y-yeah, Christmas.”

“Sir, the police and ambulance are about to leave. We should go before the press comes and starts blocking the street.” One of the security guards interrupted, bowing at Cedric. Agreeing, Cedric placed an arm around me and pushed me gently with him back to the building.

“All right. Make sure the back is clear. We’ll be leaving shortly.” He instructed the man before turning to me with a gentle squeeze on the shoulder. “Let’s go, Reese. We still have a plane to catch.”

Everything seemed normal as we left the building. The press was quick to jump on the news. It was all that occupied the television after I was driven home to prepare. Gerard was tasked to pick me up at seven, giving me plenty of time to prepare and perhaps compose myself. Because even if it ended on a good note for others, what happened was enough to keep my mind buzzing.

Cedric never asked or questioned what contained the folders compiled by Hattie, even as I climbed out of the car. Making sure it was tucked into my bag safely along with the USB. The first thing I did upon arriving home was to bathe. There was no blood on my clothes, but I did have blood on my hands. The blood of Hattie Johnson tainted my hands, unseen by the naked eye.

Rubbing and scrubbing intensely on every curve and corner, I found myself crying again under the shower. Warm water raining down upon my quivering form. The tears stopped streaming down my face once I was dressed and comfortably wrapped by my blanket. In bed, all was safe in the world. However, the dread could never escape my heart as guilt seeped in. The guilt of having a hand on Hattie’s death.

Maybe if I agreed to meet her, this wouldn’t have happened. God, what am I supposed to do?! It’s all my fault…

Running a hand through damp hair, I glanced up wearily at my bag thrown on the armchair. Realizing what I must do, I strode up to it and gathered all items from Hattie. Turning the laptop on, I waited for its screen to light up. While waiting, I pulled out the envelope with a shudder. It may have been an envelope, but it felt like opening Pandora’s box—unaware of the chaos kept inside.

The first thing that greeted me was the deed of sale. The whole time while I was reading it, my lips parted with each second that passed. Then, I started sobbing with a hand over my mouth to muffle the noise.

So… It was true! Hattie wasn’t lying. My parents did own the Grand Mari Hotel after buying it from… the Richardsons?!

George Richardson’s name was written in fine ink under his signature along with my father’s. Hattie wasn’t lying when she said my parents owned it, bought the property with millions—money I wasn’t aware of having. But this ownership didn’t last long as my parents passed away and I was in a comatose state.

The hotel was put up for sale again as my parents weren’t able to pay the half of it due to their untimely passing. Now it made sense as to why I didn’t see any articles pertaining to my parents owning the hotel—they weren’t able to pay for everything and it was bought by someone else. The rest of the wealth they had was used to pay for my hospital bills. It was no surprise to me since I don’t have to money to continue paying for such a grand place.

The next papers provided more information and photos of me in the hotel. Often wearing glittery dresses and dancing in what seemed to be a party. The whole world went still as the next photos featured me and Cedric hugging.

Well, why am I surprised? We must have been dating then…

Swallowing hard, I flipped to the next page. It was newspaper articles concerning the car accident, killing my parents and leaving me in a serious condition, glued to the paper. I swallowed hard as I went to read the other papers. Much to my surprise, there were no evidence to point out that Cedric was the cause of the car crash.

What about the USB?

Seeing the laptop already prepared, I plugged the USB and waited. Waited in nervousness for whatever it may contain.

All that it contained was a photo captured by a phone of me and Cedric. What confused and instantly embarrassed me despite not remembering such circumstances was of me, kneeling and presenting a ring to him.

I-I proposed to him?! Why…

And the other was a document file written by Hattie, herself.

Sighing deeply, I opened it and began to read the letter she typed.

Don’t be fooled by Cedric, Miss McKenzie.

I know you love him enough to ask him to be your fiancé as seen in that picture. But he doesn’t love you. He’s merely using you right now. He’s lying to you, not daring to tell you everything since he’s afraid of you finding out. His motivation for killing your parents? His family used to own the Grand Mari Hotel until it filed for bankruptcy, prompting them to sell it. I don’t have the documents, but I’m sure it is in his house. Cedric was close to reaching his goal of wooing the daughter of the Richardsons until your parents came along to buy it from them. Foiling his plans on marrying her and taking back the hotel. This led him to sabotage the car your parents used on your way for vacation. Yet, I’m afraid I don’t know the reason why he’s keeping you close despite you losing the eligibility of having the hotel.

Don’t trust him, Miss McKenzie.

Remember November 10, Thursday evening. At the gardens of the Grand Mari Hotel. If that doesn’t jog your memory, ask the head chef.

I hope you remember soon, Miss McKenzie. Cedric Dixon is a monster in sheep’s clothing.

Ask him about Francesca Richardson once you’re ready to confront the truth.

Best of luck, Hattie