CHAPTER 8

Elisabeth paced the length of her sitting room in a fit rage; her long woolen gown flowing in the opposite direction as she paced bare-footed. She checked the time on the wall clock at intervals, sighing each minute with arms akimbo in one moment and arms swinging freely the next. She walked up to her center table at intervals to stare at the paper on the table; she was so unhappy that a shadow of gloom seemed have covered the rooftop of her house. The doorbell rang and she walked briskly to answer it.

“You took forever, detective.” She tried to hide her disappointment as she held the door for him.

“Good morning Miss Lisa.” He walked in calmly, his hand firmly gripping the walkie-talkie that was fitted to his waist belt.

“You need to see this," she said, slamming the door shut and walking past him to towards the center table in the living room.

“The termination letter you talked about?” he asked in a seemingly uninterested manner.

“Yes, here it is.” She handed the letter to him. Her countenance was puzzled.

“May I sit, ma’am?” he asked raising his brows.

“By all means please.” She encouraged.

“It says here that you have been fired from the firm because you attempted to sabotage justice.” He reported as he looked in the paper.

“What does that even mean?” she raised her arms as if in a surrender and shook her head.

“Did you or did you not travel all the way to Florida ma’am?” he asked her with his brows raised.

“I did but—”

“You couldn’t even afford to do it discreetly, it’s all over the news; pictures of you with your ex-husband and pictures of your leaving a building complex as well as having fun at the beach.” He interrupted her with a raise of the finger.

“You asked me not to sleep here because it was not safe.” She replied dejected.

“I asked you to go to your mom’s or a friend’s; I didn’t ask you to leave the entire country.” He emphasized in disappointment.

“This shouldn’t be right; we have to do something.” She insisted as she sat beside him.

“There is nothing to be done, Miss Lisa. For all they know, you could have gone to consult with a criminal or hide evidence. You can only send a letter of appeal or sue with evidence that could exonerate you as wrongfully sacked. For now, I suggest we move on,” he explained gesticulating.

“Definitely suing” he folded her arms.

“I hope you have a good lawyer. I have a question though, why would you choose to go on a vacation with everything happening around you?” he asked in disbelief.

“The vacation was just a façade to hide my main aim. You see that building complex in the pictures you talked about; that’s where Miss Fredda lives.” She responded with a rekindled flame in her eyes.

“So you went all the way to Florida to investigate the disappearance of your son?” he asked her, still in disbelief.

“I did.” She replied proudly.

“You are not the investigating officer, Miss Lisa,” he insisted.

“No, I'm not. I'm Umber’s mother,” she fired back.

“Great.” He muttered rubbing his eyes in exhaustion.

“What do we do with the evidence I sent you?” she asked enthusiastically.

“The voice recordings you sent me are not evidences; we will have to question Mrs. Shane, Mr. Reuben and Miss Fredda. It is a much longer process than you can imagine.” He explained.

“You cannot effect a simple arrest? Can you not see the signs? She kidnapped my son.” Her tone was loud and firm.

“Calm down Miss Elisabeth, let me put it to you this way. You should have been arrested as well; you were the typist at the firm, and the firm discovered that documents in your care had been sold to some untraceable criminal firm. You were simply suspended and placed under investigation. Then you travelled without the permission to do so, despite being informed that you needed to remain in this city until the investigation was complete. But here we are talking like civilized people with no one arresting you,” he explained, leaning forward for emphasis.

“Oh,” she muttered calmly.

“Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. The voice recordings are a lead to probe and begin intense investigations and just like you, Mrs. Shane and Mr. Reuben will be confined to this city as well until investigations are done.” He explained further.

“I’m sorry I lost my manners for a minute there.” She whispered.

“I don’t think you owe me an apology; I think you owe Antonio an apology.” He stared at her to see her reaction.

“What?!” she exclaimed in disbelief.

“Forensics have shown that in fact, your brother, Mr. Linn was here on the day of the burglary incident—”

“So was Antonio.” She interrupted.

“This is where it gets interesting. Antonio came in after your brother; alarmed from hearing someone get in the house, Linn used the back door to excuse himself. The fingerprints on the back door are his.” Nathan smiled.

“I find this really hard to believe. I know Linn can be very problematic but I don’t think he would burgle my apartment.” She insisted.

“Well, you mentioned he lived with you after the disappearance of your son.”

“Only for a short while.” She stated.

“That short while must have been enough time for him to duplicate your keys. The only thing we are having a problem finding out is why he scattered your study in that manner.” He smacked his lips and smiled again as he watched the confusion on her face.

“How can you even tell that it was him?” she asked slowly as if counting her words.

“Fingerprints Miss Lisa, Fingerprints” he emphasized.

“Linn’s fingerprints were all over my study?” she asked opening her eyes in shock.

“Yes ma’am.” He nodded.

“Oh God! He definitely wouldn’t be traveling anytime soon too.” She added.

“Much worse. We have a warrant to search his house and effect his arrest whenever we get a hold of him. He has not been to his apartment since we took his fingerprints; we have eyes on his apartment day and night. We will get a hold of him.” He replied.

“I’m sorry, this is overwhelming. Can we talk about something else?” she closed her eyes tightly for a few seconds and swallowed hard.

“We have an address for the criminal organization that your documents were sold to.”

“You must be kidding!” she exclaimed.

“Oh definitely not. We have a team en route as we speak,” he replied proudly.

“Oh my! But how?” she exclaimed.

“Remember the documents we took when we searched your home previously, we put some of them up in a local site we found, under a different company name and we received subtle threats from an individual with no real user profile on the site claiming we stole documents belonging to him. We dug up his identity, user profile, social media and handles and companies he seems to be affiliate with. We are definitely onto something here.” He smiled coyly.

“Sounds heroic.” She chuckled.

“It’s not as easy as I make it seem. We have been on it since your suspension.” He inhaled deeply.

“What would you like to have?” she asked, her countenance brilliant.

“I would like to be on my way, thank you for your hospitality. You really should tender an apology to Antonio. He showed me the text you sent to him; this isn’t my business but I am just saying. Forgive me if I am being nosy.” She stood to his feet and walked casually towards the door, expecting to hear a reply.

“Thank you for stopping by," she said following closely behind him.

“Enjoy the rest of your day Miss. We will call you in if the need arises.” He responded as he watched her nod and slowly pull the door shut.

She rested her back against the door and let her body slowly fall to the floor. She exhaled sharply, smiling and closed her eyes for a minute letting her mind float to outer space. She remembered the date she had with Antonio; he was lovable and so easy to talk to. The food he made her, his smile and sense of humor, the way he looked at her. She needed no soothsayer to tell her that his feelings were genuine and he really care about her. She recollected that he had cut down some of her flowers because he wanted to get her a bunch of flowers; how couldn’t she see that he was going out of the way to care for her, maybe it was a little crude but it was beautiful regardless. She suddenly felt embarrassed about how she handled the entire situation, for labeling him a criminal, declining his calls and sending him a text asking him to stay the hell away from her. She felt like a crazy woman. She knew that she needed to talk to him; to set things straight and correct all the mistakes. She rose to her feet and grabbed her phone from the couch. She dialed his number, her heart in her mouth as she waited for the line to ring but it didn’t. She tried again and again, losing patience but the line would not even go through.

She grabbed her keys and stormed out of the house in desperation, she walked down the road as fast as her little legs could carry her, panting as she went. She kept her eyes on the road to avoid the faces of the few people she saw scattered all over the quiet street, as she lifted her head and saw the diner in the distance, she broke into a run, lifting her gown to help her run with ease. She drew the attention of the people on the street who stopped to stare at her, wondering what it was she was running from.

She pushed the doors leading into the diner with such force, everyone gasped and stared in her direction.

“I’m sorry.” She breathed, panting through a forced smile as sweat trickled down her forehead.

Some of the people shook their heads and began to murmur indistinctly as she walked in slowly, maintaining her smile.

“You should sit at the bar, its way airier there and the bartender offers water for free”

She knew that voice, it sounded so familiar.

“Antonio.” She muttered, turning her head in search of him. Her eyes met with his deep, sunken eyes. He was holding a stack of plates and staring at her with a smile on his thin lips. She smiled back and began to walk slowly towards him. He walked past the table and put the plates down carefully on the counter. Elisabeth looked around to be sure everyone had resumed eating and had no eyes on them.

“Hey” he said as she stopped in front of him.

“Hi.” She responded with difficulty clearing her throat.

He continued to stare at her as she stared intently, she didn’t know what to say. She arranged her hair slowly, neatly pushing some strands behind her ears. She folded her lips and made an awkward face to ease her tension but still, she had no words. Antonio exhaled and shook his head then turned around to leave.

“I am 35, a divorcee’ with a son who has been missing for the past four years.” She mouthed, slowing down as she completed the sentence.

Antonio looked back at her in astonishment then turned right around to face her with a puzzled look.

“Why do I need to know that, Lisa?” he asked, shrugging.

“Because I admit that I should have been old enough and experienced enough to communicate instead of assume things that could ruin your reputation and decrease your calls. The text I forwarded to you was also a shame. I take full responsibility for my actions and I apologize from the deepest part of my heart.” She exhaled and looked down at her feet shyly.

“You really thought I broke into your apartment?” he asked unbelievably.

“Can we at least sit down and talk about everything? I miss eating here.” She pleaded.

“That’s on you. Besides, I am working. I really don’t have time.” He replied curtly.

“Okay. I’ll wait.” She insisted.

“Okay then” he replied grabbing the stack of plates on the counter.

“No. I want to help. I will wait but I want to help you do something around here.” She reiterated, speaking reluctantly as she saw the look on his face.

“Just find a comfortable spot to sit at, place an order. I will be with you shortly," he said with scorn in his voice.

“Shit.” She muttered under her breath, looking around at the crowd in the diner. Everyone seemed to be happy, as they stared at their partners and ate their food.

She walked over to the bar and signaled to the bartender with a raise of her hand.

“Water please; cold and flavored” she whispered, sliding a note towards him.

He took the money from the counter and handed her a bottle of cold flavored water from the refrigerator.

“Anything else?” he asked her, examining her.

“A glass.”

She walked to an empty table and sat on the chair there. She poured some water in the glass and gulped down hungrily.

“Who makes strawberry flavored water?” she queried in a low tone as she scrutinized the bottle.

“I do. What flavor would you rather have?” Antonio asked calmly, sitting opposite her and facing her, with the table between them.

“Uhm, I’m sorry. You make the flavored water?” she asked him, pleasantly surprised.

“Well technically, I don’t do the whole work of purifying the water. I get purified water from the factory then I flavor and bottle it.” He explained cheerfully.

“Do you even have a license for that?” she asked, pleasantly intrigued and happy.

“I don't need a license; I just had to get permission from the FDA.” He smiled shyly.

“This is amazing; since when?” she asked, her eyes lightened up.

“Well, nearly two weeks. I was calling to inform you that there was going to be a small party to celebrate it but you wouldn’t take my calls. I stopped by your house hoping you would give me a call when you saw the flowers by your door. I got a call from the police though so I guess that counts for something.” He chuckled.

“I—” she made to speak but the words were stuck in her throat.

“I learned my lesson already. I won’t be bothering you anymore. Your text was well received,” he added.

“I am so sorry Antonio; a lot has been going on in my life and every time you come close to me, I am afraid I might ruin all that good spirit you carry around with my ill luck.” She explained with concern in her voice.

“You are an adult as you earlier stated and there could have been some form of communication. I am not a toy; I have a heart, feelings and emotions. Besides, you know almost everything about me, I barely know you and the one time I thought that I was getting to know you, you shut me out and labeled me a burglar.” He shook his head vehemently but slowly.

“I didn’t know what to think; I really might have to see a shrink because my mind has been suffering.” She explained.

“Shrink? That’s a rather rude way to refer to a therapist.” He replied and watched as she rolled her eyes.

“Someone broke into my apartment that day, messed up my study and left my apartment open. I saw what you did to my garden, the flowers and notes you left by the door and to be very honest, although it was such a warm, premeditated gesture; it was the most bizarre thing I had ever seen.” She took another gulp of water to avoid seeing his reaction.

“I went to the florist that day,” he placed his both hands on the table and took a deep breath, “I didn’t know why you were not taking my calls but I assumed you developed cold feet because we had sex on our first date and maybe you were embarrassed about it. Bringing you flowers was my way of saying it was more than just the sex for me, even though the sex was amazing, but the florist ran out of the flowers that I would have loved to give you. So I took a card from the florist’s shop—after paying a little something of course—then I figured why not bring you flowers from your garden—”

“Huh,” she interrupted with a puzzled look.

“Should count for something.” He shrugged, and they both laughed.

“I have never seen anything like it, you suck at picking flowers, and you cut them so terribly; you wrecked the rest in that area. You couldn’t even make a simple bunch and who mixes roses, lilies and what was the last one, all in a single bunch?” she spoke rhetorically and they both shared a laugh again.

“I meant well.” He defended.

“I appreciate it. Wait on the florist next time though.” She advised jokingly as they laughed again.

“So, you would like me to stay away, yes?” he asked her, leaning forward.

“No, no!” she exclaimed.

“Well, your text said—”

“I didn’t mean any of it.” She interrupted.

“I was afraid so.” He smiled, staring at her intently.

“So what would you like to know?” she asked him, taking her final gulp of water.

“Everything there is to know about you.” He adjusted himself on the seat and listened with rapt attention.

“I divorced my husband about eight years ago, we were married for nearly five years and had a son, Umber but Umber disappeared at school nearly four years ago, it was going to be his fifth birthday that day.” She nodded her head and smiled.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispered.

“I used to work for the firm as a typist and information collector, but I was suspended because they suspected me of selling some documents to a criminal organization. They sent in my termination letter today though. They’re mad that I traveled out while investigation was on.” She concluded shrugging and rubbing her palms together.

“Why did you travel out?” he asked curiously.

“Well, err…” she was reluctant to say why.

“Never mind," he said.

“My son’s teacher from four years ago was willing to testify against some individual who she suspects of abducting my son. I wanted to go hear her out myself.” She explained.

“So it wasn’t a baecation like the blogs and news sites suggested.” He queried, looking away as he saw her eyebrows raised.

“Well, I can’t really say it wasn’t a baecation. I had a few treats.” She responded.

“I understand that you have something going on with you ex-husband and I was trying so hard to intrude; that would not happen again.” He promised.

“What do you want from me?” she asked him slowly; emphasizing each word.

“I love you and I mean it with all of my heart. I know we have barely had conversations or spent time together and the only times we saw each other was when you came in here to eat something. We have had only one date too and just one date isn’t enough to say if I want to be with you forever but I know these for a certainty; I am myself around you Lisa”; he took her hands in his and stared in her eyes intently, “I always feel like my puzzle is complete whenever you’re around me. You set my heart on fire; I have never felt different and it’s been nearly four years since I started feeling like this. I don’t know but I think it must be love.” He concluded still caressing her palms.

“Erm…Antonio, I’m a mentally challenged, miserable older woman. I would be nothing like any of your exes, I don’t have any more ferociousness residing within me. I barely remember anything anymore, I have a raging anxiety, I get panic attacks time and time again and I am still stuck in a dark place, still fucking my ex-husband despite that he’s remarried. You do not want to be with me," she said as tears welled up in her eyes.

“I have never been in a relationship before Lisa so I have never had any ferocious exes; I know you’re older, It has nothing to do with how I feel but I understand all you’ve said.” He let go of her hands and placed his hands on the table in front of her.

“But I want to stay and stop running from love. I want to feel safe and protected because that’s how I feel when I am around you but this would be selfish because I fear I might not be able to reciprocate these gestures.” She explained.

“You are afraid you won’t be able to love me properly because of your anxiety and fears.”

“Something like that.” She responded laughing lightly as he smiled.

“That’s alright Lisa. Thank you for being honest; I’m always here, if you ever want to talk, if you want me visiting or if you want to visit too. I always will be here for you and I am just one call away," he said smiling.

“Thank you, Antonio.” She grabbed his hands in hers. Smiling, her eyes filled with tears.

“Have you tried the new meal on our menu?” he asked with a new wave of excitement.

“What’s that?” she asked curiously, waiting for him to satisfy her hearing and then her taste buds.

“I’ll get it to you then you can say if you’ve had it before.” He answered smiling.

“That didn’t sound like the name of a meal to me Antonio.” She shouted behind him as he walked away from the table, she smiled as she watched him go.

Elisabeth knew that she had felt a strong connection for Antonio after the date at her home but she didn’t know what it was. It was bad enough that she suspected him of breaking into her home; she also looked down and underestimated and she was puzzled as to why she did so because he made her so happy without even trying. It was so obvious that he had her best interest at heart. He was the reason she wouldn’t eat at another restaurant to begin with, she stopped at the dinner every day on her way from work for the past four years since after Umber’s disappearance because he gave her hope, brightened her ever gloomy days and told her jokes that make her laughed so much until her stomach hurt. There was no denying that he was the type of man any woman would want. He was genuine and so considerate but she didn’t know what her hesitation was about; she was alone all the time and constantly lonely, she was afraid that her loneliness was beginning to cloud her sense of judgment. There was also Reuben whom she was still hopelessly in love with; she woke up every day hoping that one day she would wake up to Reuben by her side as her husband once again; the possibilities were so glaring but she was afraid that their relationship would never return to how it was in the beginning.

She saw him walking up to her with a tray in his hands; he was wearing the most beautiful smile she had ever seen.

“You took forever.” She whispered, leaning in.

“I’m sorry. I had to prepare this for you.” He replied in a whisper too.

“Oh, thank you. Where are headed?” she asked, her tone clear and unsure because she noticed he seemed to be leaving.

“I’ve got some work, Lisa. I'll be back in a jiffy. I cross my heart on this,” he replied.

“Okay.” She pouted.

“Save the greens for last; start with the soup.” He advised.

“Mmhmm,” she muttered, her eyes fixated on him.

She examined the tray carefully, staring at the brown soup for longer than she should. She raised her head to gaze at Antonio one last time and suddenly she saw a familiar face at the counter speaking to the bartender. She squeezed her eyelids closed for a few seconds and then opened them again to be sure she wasn’t in a trance but she wasn’t. It was her boss, Mr. Romero; his oblong head gave him away and those hands that were always in his pockets. She stood up quietly and moved towards him as fast as she could. The diner seemed like a good place to talk about the termination letter she'd found in her mailbox earlier in the day.

“Mr. Romero.” She called out to him but he walked away with a bottle of wine in his hand, he had not heard her call to him. She followed him to the corner of the diner, there was a bearded man at the table in the corner waiting for him; Lisa thought the man looked familiar. She stood by the soundbar, watching them; they seemed to be having a little argument. Mr. Romero opened the bottle of wine and poured some of its content into the wine glasses that stood on the table. Elisabeth took some pictures of them both, sharing a drink and then shaking hands; she stared at them with so much confusion written all over her face.

“Hey,” Elisabeth heard someone whisper behind her; she jerked in fright and turned around to find Antonio.

“Hey,” she replied with so much tension in her voice.

“What are you doing back here? I went over to your table, but you weren’t there and your food was gone too.”

“Oh no.” She walked away in a frenzy towards her table.

“What’s going on?” Antonio asked, totally confused and in a whisper.

“I’m sorry. I saw my boss from the firm and I wanted to talk to him concerning the unjust treatment I received. I was only gone for a bit; who could have done this?” she looked sad.

“You mean the termination letter? You were going to talk to him about that?” he asked, puzzled.

“Yes, duh,” she rolled her eyes and sat on the chair, perusing her phone with absolute concentration.

“Sounds like a good idea to me. Did you do it?” he asked with such concern.

“No I didn’t. He seemed so busy with this guy, I didn’t want to interrupt or anything.” She replied showing the pictures she took on her phone.

“What is that drink?” he asked zooming in for clarity.

“I don’t know, I don’t even work here.” She replied laughing.

“We don’t sell that here; I have never seen that drink here.” He insisted still wearing a serious face.

“Special order maybe.” She shrugged.

“I don’t think so.” He looked at the picture suspiciously.

“Come on. You’re working yourself up over some drink.” She rolled her eyes and heaved a sigh.

“Well, I want to be certain we are not purchasing banned substances for resell but not to worry, I will talk to Jerry about it.” He returned her phone to her.

“Jerry?” she queried.

“That’s the bartender. You didn’t even get to eat what I made you.” He sounded disappointed.

“I know; It was stupid of me to walk off and leave my food lying here, unattended to.” She tried to be apologetic.

“What do we do now?” he asked, unimpressed.

“Can I invite you over to mine? We’ll make dinner and have it together; that’d be so perfect.” She put her hands together in a pleading fashion, smiling as she spoke on.

“I’d let you know.” He stared at her for a brief moment, admiring her smile.

They both began to hear loud murmurs followed by a shriek at the end of the hall; it was deafening and people had begun to move over to the corner of the hall while some others moved out the hall. Mothers grabbed tightly unto their children and families were calling out to each other; Elisabeth felt like it was the end of the world. She looked out the window, and all seemed well in the small town, but something dangerously incredible seemed to be happening right inside the diner hall. She was completely mortified and was already having a panic attack.

“Hold on to my phone; I think I am going to pass out.” She muttered stretching her phone out to Antonio who was already making a move towards the center of attraction at the corner of the hall. He looked up, Jerry was gone; he took the phone from her and tucked it in his front pocket. She wondered if he had heard her or if he was simply following his instinct because she had her phone stretched out in front of her.

“Come with me, quickly.” He grabbed her arm, pulling her gently as she struggled to keep up, taking deep breaths and letting off heaves of sighs.

Antonio made his way through the small crowd, some of whom had come in from the outside as the noises had attracted them, clutching unto Elisabeth tightly. As he approached the table at the corner, a little past the sound bar, he found a man lying on the ground with his face flat on the ground. He wondered why everyone was making a fuss about it; this wasn’t the first time that a customer had drank to stupor and passed out in a science-defying position. They still lived through it and only occasionally required help getting home.

“Hey, Lisa, you wait here. Let me help him up.” He turned back and shouted in her direction to ensure she heard him.

He let her hand go and walked quickly to the man, bending down, he tried turning him around with a bout of low grunts.

“Mister, can you hear me?” he shouted as he moved the man slowly.

“He is dead, call the police.” He heard someone shout from the tensed small crowd.

He ignored the crowd and continued to call out to the man as he turned him over. As his eyes hit the man’s face, he saw he had foamed severely at the mouth, his eyes were dreadfully opened; there was a mystifying fear that lingered in his eyes and blood that had trickled out of his nostrils. Antonio gasped and left the body in that second; he ran towards the landline and hit the dialer.

“We have an emergency; there’s a man here who seems to have had a seizure. I cannot get a pulse and he is not moving. The diner, 121st Bretford street; please hurry!” he hung up as his guts suddenly tugged at him to search for Lisa.

“Where is everyone?” he muttered as he looked around for the other cooks, security and the waitresses. He walked in circles in the area where he had left Lisa but couldn’t find her. The security had begun to evacuate the area; he was panicking already, he attempted to call her but remembered that her phone was in his front pocket. He touched it to be sure it was still in place. The small crowd had started to disperse.

“Oh shit.” He muttered as a new wave of fright ran through his body. He scratched his head frantically in a bid to think properly. He heard sirens blowing in the distance; the hall was already empty. He moved towards the entrance with a tension in his belly.

“Elisabeth!” he called out on the top of his lungs; he noticed the ground under his feet becoming slippery, he looked down at his feet and lost balance in the moment and came crashing down, sliding in the red liquid towards a table. There Elisabeth was, lying under the table, pale and cold; she was out like a light.

He groaned in pain, “Blood, no.” he muttered continuously under his breath. He dipped his finger in the liquid and stared at it, squinting as the sharp pain in his head attempted to blind him; then he brought his finger directly under his nose and sniffed. Convinced it was a drink, he crawled towards Elisabeth and shook her body gently.

“Come on Lisa, come on!” he said strongly, shaking her even more vigorously but she laid there, lifeless; not a pulse could be felt, no breath either, nothing.