She Believed Him
Even before the car reached the ancestral home, the shrill wail of sirens could be heard in the distance.
"Faster," Jack urged.
The driver pushed the car to its maximum speed.
Finally, the car pulled through the gates.
Several conspicuous police cars were parked in the courtyard—something serious had indeed happened at the ancestral home.
Jack rolled down the window and asked the elderly gatekeeper, "What's going on?"
"Last night, someone died," the old man replied.
“Where did they die?”
"They died in the flower garden the First Lady often visited."
"All right, I understand."
Jack grabbed Alison's hand and sprinted toward the flowerbed.
Before they reached it, they spotted uniformed officers.
“Hold on. The scene is cordoned off. No one may enter.” Someone stopped them.
“Who died?” Jack demanded loudly.
"We just confirmed it—a caretaker from the ancestral home," the officer replied.
A caretaker?
No one in the ancestral home needed tending to except Cassandra.
Jack pulled Alison's hand and rushed toward the mansion of the ancestral home.
"Who do you think the killer is? Alison?" he asked as they ran.
Stephanie seemed unlikely—though she often tended the flowerbeds, that very familiarity made it seem like someone might have framed her deliberately.
Cassandra, being ill, also seemed an improbable suspect.
Could it be Isabella?
"Jack, what do you think?" Alison asked.
"Let's go check the hall." Jack said without hesitation, quickening his pace.
Inside, people sat solemnly in a circle, discussing the recent murder.
Alison scanned the room and noticed two people were missing: Stephanie and Cassandra.
Isabella spotted Jack, her eyes lighting up. She sprang from the sofa and rushed toward him, calling out, “Jack? Is that you?”
"Mom, it's me. I'm alive and well. Though that might disappoint someone,” he replied.
"What do you mean by that?" Rock asked, leaning back on the sofa with his legs crossed.
"You know exactly what I mean. Where's your mom, Rock?" Jack strode up to him and demanded.
"My mom took a flight to Paris this morning. She should still be at the airport," Rock replied calmly.
“Get me Chief Inspector James's number, Alison!” Jack urged urgently.
Alison found Chief James's number and gave it to Jack.
As soon as the call connected, Jack addressed Chief James directly. "Stephanie, the suspect in the murders of Manager Foster and our Winston family caretaker, has fled to the airport. Contact airport security immediately to detain her and bring her in for questioning.”
Rock's expression darkened instantly.
Before Jack could finish, Rock slammed his hand hard on the coffee table. "Jack, everything requires evidence! You can't just make baseless accusations like this!"
Jack shot him a glance, then gave a few more instructions over the phone before hanging up.
"I only said she's a suspect. Assisting police investigations is a civic duty. Don't you find it odd that Aunt Stephanie would return to Paris at this time?"
"What's odd about it? Mom's trip was planned a long time ago. Ask Grandpa if you don't believe me,” Rock retorted.
"That's true," Alexander chimed in to back Rock up.
"But that's just a plan. It doesn't prove that she's not connected to what happened,” Jack said. "Rock, you should tell your mom to stay home. It won't put Grandpa in a difficult position."
“Fine. I'll have my mom stay to prove her innocence," Rock replied.
"Alright." Jack said, then pulled Alison toward the stairs.
"Jack..." Alison gently pulled away from his hand.
"Alison, I—" Jack's expression changed instantly.
His drug craving had resurfaced.
"What's wrong? You look terrible," Isabella said, approaching him with concern.
"Mom, I'm fine. I just want to check on Sophia and Ethan,” Jack said, quickly changing the subject.
"Come on; I'll take you to see them. Those two little ones have grown so much!" Isabella said warmly.
"No need, Mom. Alison will take me upstairs.” Jack's face began to turn pale.
“Be honest, Jack. Did you disappear because of her?" she asked, pointing at Alison.
“No, don't say that. I'm going upstairs." Jack grabbed Alison's hand, heading upstairs.
“Jack, are you okay?” Alison asked.
"Quick, close the door." Jack gasped and collapsed onto the floor.
He closed his eyes, and hallucinatory scenes filled his vision.