Chapter 20 DEMON OF THE PAST
I left the house and made my way to the stable, hoping the quiet would help clear my head. If someone had told me just a month ago that I'd be back in Hollowmere-with my parents on the verge of losing their ranch-I would have laughed and called them a liar.
But here I am.
Why the Lennoxs, though? Why him? He's the last person I ever wanted near me or my family. It almost feels like life is playing some cruel joke, pulling me into a game I never asked to play.
As I stepped into the stable, Pony greeted me with a soft, joyful nicker. Her familiar sound brought the smallest smile to my lips as I walked toward her.
"I'm happy to see you too, Pony," I whispered, gently patting her head and running my fingers through her thick, dark mane.
Pony was our oldest-a beautiful, cheerful, gentle Friesian mare with a glossy jet-black coat, flowing mane, and feathered legs. Arabella and I named her when she was just a foal. So many people had tried to buy her over the years, offering more money than I'd care to count, but Mum never let her go. Not once.
I looked into her dark eyes-deep and endless, reflecting the faint stable light like polished obsidian.
"You must be angry, huh?" I murmured. She let out another low sound, like she was answering me.
"I know... me too," I sighed. "Sometimes, I just wish I could go to sleep and wake up to find all of this was just a horrible dream."
My phone started buzzing in my pocket, snapping me out of my thoughts. I pulled it out and blinked in surprise-Linda.
I hadn't spoken to her in a while. I'd been so distracted lately.
"Hey, Linda," I said, lifting the phone to my ear.
Her voice burst through the speaker, louder than expected. "How could you fly back without telling me?! I've been here worrying about how you're doing in Austin, not wanting to call and be a distraction-and this is how I find out you're back?"
"Sorry," I said softly. "I just had so much to deal with... I might've kind of forgotten to call you."
"You don't sound cheerful at all," she muttered, her voice switching from irritation to concern. "Especially for someone who just returned from Austin with so much to brag about. Everyone adores you now-even that annoying head officer who kicked you out like trash a year and a half ago."
I didn't want to talk about how hard it had been when he called to assign me to that case in Austin, transferring me without warning. The only thing that kept me going back then was my family's support-and the shock of learning that Dax was the detective who needed my help.
"Are you working tonight?" I asked, dodging her rant.
"Well, the reason I called is because our dear boss wants to see you-now that he knows you're back in town. Apparently, the guy's panicking about losing you for good," she said, her irritation peaking again.
"The head officer wants to see me? Not to lecture or humiliate me for once?" I said with a sarcastic huff. "Tell him I'll come in. I actually want to see him too."
"Alright. I'll be waiting. And don't think I won't find out why you sound like the weight of the world's sitting on your chest," she said, her sarcasm laced with a touch of genuine worry. I could practically see her rolling her eyes.
"Talk later, Linda," I replied and ended the call.
I stared at my phone for a moment, thinking about what the head officer might have to say. I was supposed to hand in my resignation letter after returning to Hollowmere... but maybe it's not such a bad idea to hear what he has to say. After all, there's something satisfying about watching the table turn.
I gave Pony one last pat, then headed back toward the house.
I found Arabella in the dining room with Renna. They were mid-dinner, and the warmth of the scene made my heart ache. Renna's eyes lit up when she saw me. Her joy was immediate and unfiltered.
"Mum! Come sit," she said eagerly, patting the seat next to her.
I hadn't seen my daughter in over a year. And now, I was leaving again-without truly spending time with her. Guilt wrapped around my chest like a vise as I sat down beside her.
She offered me a bowl of soup with a smile as bright as the morning sun.
"Thanks, sweetie... but I can't eat right now," I said, forcing a soft smile.
Her gaze locked with mine. And in an instant, the light in her eyes dimmed.
Just like that, I felt my heart break all over again.
"You're leaving already? For work?" she asked, her small voice laced with disappointment.
"No, not for work," I replied, forcing a smile as I reached for her hand. "I just need to see your Aunty Linda for something personal. I'll be back before you even miss me."
But she wasn't buying it.
"But you just got here. And every time it's 'Aunt Linda,' it's always about work," she mumbled, slipping her hand out of mine and returning her focus to the bowl of soup in front of her. The way she pouted while scooping her food made my heart ache.
I had forgotten just how sharp she could be-far too observant for her age.
My eyes drifted toward Arabella, silently begging for help. She gave a tiny shrug, her face holding that classic "What do you want me to do?" look.
I turned back to Renna and leaned closer.
"Renna, I know I haven't really been around lately," I began softly. "But I promise I'll make it up to you. I don't know how just yet... but I will figure it out. And I'm also really, truly sorry."
I waited-hoping, praying-that she would at least look at me.
And then she did. Her eyes met mine, and a small smile slowly spread across her face.
"It's alright, Mummy," she said sweetly, her tone suddenly changing-mischief creeping in like a shadow. "But I do know how you're going to make it up to me."
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously as I glanced at Arabella, who was already biting her lip, trying hard not to burst into laughter. That's when I knew I had just walked right into one of Renna's carefully laid traps.
"Okay, go on," I said warily.
"First," she said with an adorably serious face, "you have to bake my birthday cake. You promised. And no matter what, you are not going to let work get in the way."
"That's it?" I asked, almost relieved-until she shook her head.
"And... our teacher said we're going to have a 'Bring One of Your Parents to School' day," she added, her tone now deadly serious. "I want you to be there. I don't want Grandma, Grandpa, or Aunt Arabella. Just you, Mummy. Please?"
The way her blue eyes sparkled with hope completely disarmed me. I was utterly spellbound. I couldn't say no-even though a part of me feared I might let her down again.
"Mum, please! You have to be there."
I gave her a firm nod, forcing away the lump that had begun to form in my throat.
"I'll be there. I promise," I said.
That was all it took. Her face lit up as she giggled in delight. She turned to Arabella, flashed her a triumphant thumbs up, then pressed a kiss to my cheek before dashing upstairs.
I stared after her, my heart full and aching all at once. Then I turned to Arabella and narrowed my eyes.
"This was your doing, wasn't it?" I asked.
"What? Of course not," she replied, feigning innocence. "Renna just wants to spend quality time with her mum. And honestly, she deserves every bit of your love and time."
I sighed, but this time with warmth instead of frustration.
"I know," I murmured. "And... thank you. Thank you for always being there for her."
Arabella gave me a soft smile. Our relationship as sisters might not have always been perfect-it definitely wasn't the type anyone would envy-but we were working through it. We were healing.
And for that, I was grateful.
"Nah, there's no need to thank me. I love Renna with all my heart, and I also want the best for her," she said, and I nodded in response.
"So, were you able to speak to Mum?" she asked.
"No, she was..." My voice died out before I could tell Arabella about the conversation I overheard between Mum and Dad. But on second thought, I decided to keep it to myself. I think I need to speak to Dad.
"Hello? Nancy?" Arabella said as she waved her hand in front of me, trying to get my attention.
"Sorry. Mum was already asleep," I said, and she nodded.
"So what's your plan? How are we going to save the ranch? Even if we are able to prevent it from getting sold, it won't be long before we'll have to face the government once Mum and Dad can no longer keep up with paying taxes," Arabella said, leaving me with another worry. I can't believe I also forgot about that.
"First, we need to get rid of the Lennox, then worry about the government. I need to head to the station, and I don't know if I'll be coming back tonight. I might just spend the night at Linda's place.
Just tell Mum I'll see her tomorrow morning, okay?"
"Alright then. I better clear the table and go check up on Renna," Arabella said as she began clearing the table.
I got up, ready to go, then I remembered I haven't even asked Arabella about the application she submitted to the Lennox Luxe Collection over six months ago.
"What about your job application?" I asked, and I saw her hesitate before looking up at me.
"Well, I haven't gotten any response yet-no email or call," she casually replied.
"And you haven't thought of applying elsewhere?" I asked, feeling upset that I couldn't understand why she wouldn't submit her CV elsewhere.
"I will, once I get a rejection response from them," she said as she picked up the plates and headed for the kitchen.
Sighing heavily, I decided to leave the conversation just as it was, not wanting to drag it on.
I really don't get why she is hell-bent on working there.
I took a taxi to the station, and when I arrived, I was surprised by the attention I was getting. But it just marvels me how the same set of people who once didn't care about my existence are now acting like we were long-time buddies.
I made my way to the head officer's office, where he offered me a seat with a smile that I never would have imagined he'd show toward me.
"Welcome back, Detective Nancy. You know you've always been my favorite-that's why I sent you over to Austin, so you could be recognized for your true identity," he said.
But every word that came out of his mouth sounded so unreal to me, and it irritated the hell out of me.
"I actually came to submit my resignation letter," I said and watched as he went cold in shock, which he immediately tried to hide.
"What? You cannot be serious?" he said, laughing like I said something funny.
"Well," I said, bringing out the letter as I dropped it on his desk. "I am being serious."
"Nancy, I know you're probably angry about the way I sent you away without considering you, but I only did that because I knew you had what it takes-the potential," he said, shifting uncomfortably on his seat.
I sighed, already knowing that he might have said something to the heads.
"What did you do? And did you happen to use my name on it?" I asked him, and his head quickly dropped low.
"Yes, I told them you could handle a case that was recently brought to us, with a big price to any detective who could-and any headquarters that could crack the case," he said, immediately dropping the file of the case in front of me.
Picking it up, I opened it, and it was a drug dealing case, and in it were pictures of the suspects.
"What's the big deal about this drug dealing case?" I asked him, and he immediately brought out a picture that not only caught my attention but also brought back memories that have haunted me since I was a kid.
It's him-the face that has haunted me for as long as I could remember.
The man I've been searching for ever since my kidnap case was closed like it was nothing.