Chapter 120 The Man in the Drawing
DAVID
The air was thick with unspoken questions as we drove to Austin Village. Bella sat beside me, her hands resting on her swollen belly, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Janet sat in the back, quiet for once, her arms crossed as if holding in the weight of her own thoughts.
The tension was palpable. None of us spoke, but I knew we were all thinking the same thing: finding the truth.
When we pulled up in front of Mr. Adams' house, it looked as charming as Bella had described it a modest home with a colorful garden that seemed to pulse with life even in the fading light of day. Bella smiled faintly as she stepped out of the car, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings.
"I’ll go get my dad. He’s probably in the garden," she said, her tone light but her steps hesitant.
I stood beside her, teasing, “We’ll go together. He’s not just your dad anymore—he’s ours now.”
She rolled her eyes, pushing me playfully. “Come on, David. Don’t be clingy. It’s just a short walk, and I’ll be back in no time.”
I grabbed her wrist gently, pulling her closer. Her breath caught as our eyes met, my hand brushing a stray curl from her face. I leaned in, the world narrowing to just the two of us, when—
“Oh, for the love of everything, can you two not?” Janet’s voice cut through the moment like a slap. “It’s bad enough you dragged me here; now I have to endure this?”
Bella laughed, her cheeks flushed as we stepped back. Janet threw a mock glare and pretended to grab her shoe as a weapon. We didn’t wait to see if she’d actually throw it. Instead, Bella and I took off toward the garden, her laughter ringing out like a melody.
“Careful!” I called out when she stumbled over a stone.
“This is my dad’s compound, David,” she said with an exasperated smile. “I’ve been running around here since I could walk. I think I’ll survive.”
I squeezed her hand gently, the weight of my worries pressing down on me. She didn’t understand the danger yet, the enemies who wouldn’t think twice about using her to get to me. But I would protect her, even from the shadows she couldn’t see.
The garden was small but vibrant, a kaleidoscope of colors and scents that made it feel like stepping into another world. Mr. Adams was there, crouched among the flowers, his hands coated in dirt as he worked. Bella’s face lit up, and she rushed forward.
“Dad!” she called, throwing her arms around him.
“Bella!” His face broke into a surprised smile as he hugged her back. “What brings you here?”
“Just visiting,” she said, her voice soft.
I stepped forward, extending a hand. “Good day, sir.”
Mr. Adams looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and respect. He pulled off a glove, shaking my hand firmly. “Mr. David, it’s an honor to have you here. Please, forgive the dirt.”
Bella shifted again, her hand resting on her belly as she sighed. “Can we go inside? I’m tired of standing.”
Her father chuckled. “Of course. Let’s get you comfortable.”
Inside the house, Janet practically bounced out of her seat when she saw Mr. Adams.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Janet,” he said, his smile widening. “I just finished reading one of your books. You’re incredibly talented.”
Janet grinned. “Thank you, sir. That means a lot.”
As they exchanged pleasantries, I noticed Bella adjusting herself again on the couch, unable to find a comfortable position. She had been restless lately, a constant battle between sitting and standing as the baby made its presence known.
“What can I offer you all?” Mr. Adams asked, his voice warm.
“We’re fine, sir,” I said, sitting forward. “We just have a few questions to ask you.”
He leaned back, his brows furrowing slightly. “Questions?”
I pulled Janet’s drawing from my pocket and placed it on the table between us. “Do you know this man?”
Mr. Adams picked it up, his eyes narrowing as he studied the face. Recognition dawned slowly, and he nodded.
“Yes,” he said finally. “That’s Matthew. He used to work with me at the factory. He was in charge of the trucks back then.”
“How well did you know him?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t say we were close,” he said, his voice steady. “But he… he tried to get close to me after I adopted Bella. He was always around, asking questions, offering to take her off my hands.”
Bella froze beside me, her fingers tightening around mine. “Why would he do that?”
Mr. Adams sighed, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “It was years ago, Bella. I found you crying in a dustbin at the factory. You were so small, so fragile. I couldn’t leave you there, so I took you to the police station. They told me to leave you at the orphanage, but… I couldn’t. I kept going back to the police, hoping someone would claim you, but no one ever did. So, I adopted you.
“Matthew started visiting often after that. He said he wanted to adopt you, but something about him felt off. He was a gambler, and I worried that one day his debts would bring trouble to my door. So, I moved here to keep you safe and never told him where we went.”
His voice trailed off, and he looked at me. “Why are you asking about him now?”
Janet leaned forward, her voice cold. “Because we think he’s involved in the murder of someone close to me.”
Mr. Adams blinked, the shock registering on his face.
“Do you remember the exact date you found Bella?” I asked.
“December 26, 1980,” he said after a moment’s thought.
My mind raced. Could Matthew have kidnapped Bella from her biological parents?
“Do you know where he lives now?” I asked.
“Yes, not far from here,” Mr. Adams said. “About five miles away, in a blue house. It’s the oldest one in the area.”
I nodded. “Thank you, sir. But you don’t need to come with us. It’s safer for you to stay here.”
Before leaving, I pressed an envelope into his hand. “For the house,” I said.
“I can’t accept this. You’ve already done so much—”
“You deserve it,” I said firmly, walking away before he could argue further.
Back in the car, Janet broke the silence. “So, what’s next?”
I kept my eyes on the road. “We get home first. Then we plan.”
But I already knew I would return to Austin Village this time, with my guards.