Chapter 47

L I N D Y

I hurriedly messaged Harry about the horrible gift and he instantly got worried for me and our babies. It was a natural reaction from him but what was more surprising is that he was crying and kept blaming himself if anything could happen to me and our babies inside me.

His words were, “I will never be able to forgive myself if something happens to the three of you.”

His words were firm and I don’t want him to lose hope.

I called the police over my house to investigate the whole thing that just happened. A detective called Detective Martin came over and asked me a few questions about what I knew. I told him everything about Griffin and he told me that it could be possible that it came from him since he had mentioned it to me before. But then he questioned why it didn’t make any sense and who Jolene was. He asked me questions about her and what could be Griffin possible motive towards me but then I can’t tell him because it involves Harry’s past.

I don’t want him to know something that could put Harry and his career in danger too.

“Miss Swanepoel, the motive could possibly be revenge.” Detective Martin says.

“I thought about the same thing.” I answered.

“We will investigate everything in here and ask the delivery service who sent this package here. We will get this gift and the other one for fingerprints in case the suspect had left some.” He tells me.

I nod, “Are there any news about Griffin?”

“No.” He answers. “We are going to do the best we can to find him before he can harm you again. Also, you don’t have to worry since there will be a police car who will be on surveillance outside your house starting today.”

“Thank you so much detective Martin.”

He nods, “Please don’t worry too much and just stay home. Okay?”

I nod back. “Thank you.”

When Martha came for the weekend, I told her everything that happened days ago. I told her that there was something more to fear not only for my life but for the lives of my babies inside me as well. She tried her best to comfort me and made sure that she was there for me. She reassured that there was still the police car outside the house and having them around made me feel safer.

My phone rings and it was Detective Martin who was calling me this late. I instantly answered, “Detective Martin?”

I travelled my eyes to Martha who instantly walked towards me and sat with me on the couch.

“Lindy, good evening. It is good that you finally answered. I have news for you.”

I felt a little skip in my heart, “Did you finally find Griffin?” I was hoping that they finally did because I am tried of living in anxiety and fear.

“Sadly no.” He answers me. “We are still on the hunt for him. That guy knows how to hide pretty well.”

I felt devastated. “What about the fingerprints?”

“The suspect was clean in doing this. No other fingerprints aside from yours. He orchestrated this whole thing perfectly.” He answered.

I felt even worse, “So it’s a dead end?”

“Not technically. We tried to search where the suspect could have bought the box but we couldn’t find it anywhere. I think the suspect personally made it. We located the store where the baby clothes was sold and it was just around Connecticut but it was a an hour drive from here.”

I squeezed Martha’s hand for support as she looks back at me with worried eyes.

“So there’s a lead?” I asked.

“Potentially. We asked the owner for surveillance camera and found a man wearing a black hoodie and a baseball cap who bought the same baby clothes which was in the box.” Detective Martin narrated.

“Oh my God, did you see his face?”

He clicks his tongue, “No, the man was wearing a face mask but I noticed that he had a tattoo, like an Illuminati sign, on the back of his right hand. Do you know anyone who has such tattoo?”

I paused and tried to think of anyone who has an Illuminati tattoo on the back of his right hand. My eyes widened as soon as I remembered who it was, “It was Griffin!”

“Griffin had the same tattoo?”

I nod vigorously as my tears wee building behind my eyelids, “Yes, yes. He had he same tattoo. I remember pretty well.”

“Okay so this could be a possible lead. We saw him on the streets’ surveillance camera riding a bus which was only heading to Holmes Drive.”

“Holmes Drive?” I parroted as Martha kept her stare at me.

“Yes.”

“Isn’t that far from Yale?”

“Yes. We are trying to head there now and ask around if they saw something unusual. Base from reports, not much people are living there now. It’s a possible place for a good hideout.”

I exhaled heavily, “Oh my god this is such a great news!” I cried.

“It’s too fast to celebrate. As soon as we find someone who is suspicious in there then we will call you right away.” He informs.

“Thank you so much Detective Martin.” I cried. “This is already a good news for me. I hope you would finally catch Griffin.”

“We hope so too. I will inform you again as soon as we get more leads.”

“Alright thank you.” I ended the call.

“What did the detective say?” Martha was quick to ask.

“They already have a lead and Griffin is the one who bought the baby clothes. He was caught on the store’s surveillance camera.”

Martha exhales and hugs me, “That’s a really good news!”

“I know!” I cried. “I’m so happy. I hope they can finally catch him!”

“They will and all of this will end soon.” She cooed.

I was not able to sleep the entire night because I was waiting for Detective Martin to call me again and inform me anything about the progress. I couldn’t sleep just thinking about everything and prayed that this will all end because I am already tired.

The next morning, I made myself a cup of coffee and tried to get on the day being accompanied by Martha. We lounged along the pool and tried to talk abut Avery and how she has drastically changed although Martha is still not convinced about Avery’s change of heart. She despises Avery too much and doesn’t really believe in her.

“Maybe she figured out that there was never really a competition between us.” I tell Martha who was rolling her eyes.

“Oh puh-lease. Avery’s such a drama queen and a very good actress.”

“Martha, maybe she has finally really changed.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Just give her a chance.”

“Ugh, after what she did to you and Harry? And all those things that she caused you when you were both growing up? I don’t think she can ever change.”

I rested my head on her shoulder, “I want to believe that it is true.”

She shakes her head, “It’s too good to be true.”

Around two in the afternoon, Detective Martin finally called me. The call that I have been dreadfully been waiting to get since last night.

“Miss Lindy.” He greeted.

“Detective, is there any news?”

“We did find Griffin. He is residing in an abandoned house around Holmes Drive.”

“That’s good news! Did you catch him?” I asked right away with a smile on my face.

“We are still working on the warrant of arrest. Don’t worry, we are doing the best we can to catch him as soon as possible and we are following him to make sure we won’t lose our sight on this fugitive.” He reassured me and I begin to feel hopeful because Griffin is now found.

I can’t stop smiling as my tears were now falling over my cheeks.

He continues, “I want you to stay inside your house and make sure that you have locked the doors. There are still police outside so you don’t have to worry.”

“I will, thank you so much Detective Martin.” I say with a huge smile on my face.

“As soon as the warrant of arrest is ready, we will catch him.”

“That’s such a good news. Thank you so much!” I say and ended the call. I threw myself to Martha and hugged her. “They found Griffin!”

She hugs me tight, “I’m so glad! That’s a really good news!”

“I know!” I cried with happy tears. “I wish they can finally catch him! He needs to be placed in prison before he can kill me and my kids.”

She pulls herself away and smiles at me, “I am so happy for this. You are now safe from harm and you can live your life out fear. I am sure your dad would finally allow you to be with Harry.”

I sigh as soon as Martha reminded me of it, “I never really told Harry about that.”

“Well it is hard to tell him about it. I mean, your own father is telling you to stay away from the man you really love.” She pushes my hair behind my ear. “But why not try to open up to Harry about it? I mean, at least he is aware.”

“I know but I… don’t think I can do it to Harry. Ending things with him is useless knowing that we have babies now. I love Harry. But… dad’s just so annoying these past few days. I know he is worried and he blames Harry for what has happened to me but then I don’t think the same way.”

Martha smiles, “Why don’t you let your dad understand?”

“My dad’s stubborn.”

She sighs, “Well, you can worry about that later. For now, think about the good thing. Griffin is found and as soon as he is caught, he will be placed in jail.”

“I really hope so.”

I updated Harry about the latest happenings with Griffin and he is also feeling a little more relieved just like me. We were both hopeful that things are going to look a little better than the passed days that we spent together in agony, anxiety and fear.

“Harry, I have to tell you something.” I tell him.

His eyes glued on me, “Sure. What is it?”

“It’s about my dad.”

“Did something to happen?” He asks curiously with worried eyes and it pains me how he looks worried for him yet my dad feels the opposite way.

“No.” I forced a weak smile.

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Um, when you left for Canada… we kind of had a talk.”

His brows creasing, “Talk?”

I nod.

“About what?” He was quick to ask.

“Umm, about us.”

His face looked tensed. “Why? What… What did he say?”

“He kind of accidentally hear the conversation I had with Martha over the phone about Griffin and Jolene and…” I trailed off as I travelled my eyes down to my hands.

He breathes heavily and there a pause between the two of us for about a minute. I kept my eyes glued on my hands as I feel my words jumbling inside my head and my heart pounding a little bit. I was nervous to tell him and see his reaction about this issue.

“What did he say, Lindy?” He asks.

I slowly pulled my head up and faced him, “Just like any father, he was worried for me and… well…” I clear my throat and felt a little awkward and guilty.

“He wanted you to stay away from me, did he?” He asks and says the words that I have been wanting to tell him.

My head begins to nod a little as I breathe through my lips, “He was scared that I would be in danger if… we continue being together.”

His eyes looked at me ruefully, “Well…” He says breathlessly. “What did you say?”

“I told him I won’t do it and--”

“Please hold on to me Lindy. Just a little bit more and we can work things out after Griffin and when all this is over.”

I smile, “I know. I know and I trust this relationship. I love you and I wont let my dad dictate what I want.”

His eyes crystallizes with his tears building fast behind his eyelids, “I need you so much more than anything else in this world. Please don’t let me go.”

“I wont. I won’t Harry and I could never.”

He smiles, “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I smile back. “We are going to fight this.”

“We are, baby.”

The next morning, Martha had to leave since she has a part-time job in the afternoon and I feel lonely again being left behind here. When we were having breakfast together, there came a knock on the door followed by a doorbell. I checked the Eye Spy tab and saw Detective Martin with two other police behind him.

“Who is it?” She asks me.

“It’s the detective.” I say as I rush my way to the front door where Martha followed me too.

As soon as I swing it open, I say, “Detective Martin! Good morning. You’re here early.”

He nods, “Lindy, good morning. I hope we aren’t disturbing you this early.”

“No, please come inside.” I offered

He entered the living room together with the two policemen.

“What brings you here all of a sudden?” I can’t help but ask. “Is Griffin finally caught?”

“Yes, we caught him last night.” He answered.

Martha and I smiled at each other. “Thank God!” I chimed happily.

“That’s such a relief!”

“It is a relief.” I agreed as I see Detective Martin pulling out a paper.

“We came here for another thing, Lindy. Griffin finally spoke to us about who is the real mastermind for this whole threats.” Detective Martin speaks.

“What?” I gaped. “Griffin was working with someone else?”

Detective Martin nods and shows us a warrant of arrest, “Miss Martha Stewart, we are inviting for investigation in the precinct.”

I gaped.”What?!” I said it in unison with Martha.

I turn to her and her eyes went wide, “There’s gotta be a mistake.” She says instantly.

“Griffin mentioned your full name so we need to investigate you and your whereabouts for the past days. Also, we just recently found another fingerprint on the other box. We are inviting you to the station.”

“What? This doesn’t make any sense!” Martha exclaims. “I am Lindy’s best friend! There is no way I would be the one to instigate all this! I am not even around Connecticut all the time!”

“Then there’s more reason for us to investigate you.”

“That’s crazy! I don’t know even know him!” Martha defended herself.

“Why does Griffin know your entire name then?” Detective asks her.

“I have no idea!” She exclaims. “If I was behind all this, what would be my motive?! Lindy is my best friend!” Martha turns to me, “You don’t trust this Lindy, right?”

“I… I don’t… Let’s just go to the station. I will go with you.” I say.

“You don’t have to cuff me! I am innocent.” Martha tells the policemen.

As we finally headed to the station, my mind was confused, not because I doubt Martha but because of the fact that Griffin knows her.

Martha couldn’t do this to me.