Frank, Doctor Williams, and I were in an extreme staring contest. It felt like a scene from a crime movie where the victim's family accidentally ran into the culprit that had ruined their family.
The question remained. What had he done to Mrs. Sinclair? My brain was probably overreacting by jumping straight to murder. But there was something very fishy about him. The red mark on his shirt was a sign of an irreversible action. I had a powerful feeling about that.
Since long stares wouldn't lead us anywhere, I opened my mouth to ask him directly about it. "What is that on your shirt?"
Doctor William's horrified gaze dropped to that spot, and he immediately concealed it with his hand. I moved to ask him again, but he shut the door and ran away.
That one guilty move gave me clarity about what he was. John had destroyed my life. I wouldn't let that happen to another woman.
"Seize him! He mustn't get away," I yelled, running after him. Although I was the one who suggested it, Frank acted faster than me, and before I knew he was dragging Doctor Williams back inside the room with his hand over his mouth.
Though stunned, I rapidly closed the door and locked it. Holding someone against their will may be against the law, but not where someone was suspected of a violent crime.
"You're freakishly strong," I complimented Frank. It was not the best time, but I couldn't help being impressed by how Frank single-handedly trapped a grown man. Where did his herculean strength come from when his body appeared averagely built?
Frank appeared over the moon by my praise and flashed a toothy grin of pride. "I work out and don't like bragging about it." His smile quickly faded. "Now, help me to tie him to a chair or something. I may be strong, but I am not damaging my skin or losing a nail for this."
I ran straight to fetch a chair lying in the corner. "We have a chair. How are we going to tie him to it without rope?"
"Look for something," said Frank. "Ouch!" he screamed in pain. "He bit me, Amelia. Why can't you do anything right?"
"How is this my..." I argued.
"Stop fighting." Williams cut me off. "This is insane. What do you want to hold me captive for? It's not a bloodstain on my shirt. You two would have to answer to the police if you don't let me go this instant."
"Listen, punk," I spoke, charging at this throat. "Don't act too smart with us. We know what you have done. Mrs. Sinclair is pregnant with your child. She had left to tell you about it, and you returned with a red stain on..."
"How do you know that?" The doctor squeaked.
"She came to tell me before saying anything to you," I replied with the truth.
Williams closed his eyes and shook his head with regret and disappointment. "Mary shouldn't have done that. She is too pure and trusting for this world."
"You ruined her purity, man," Frank spoke from behind, twisting Doctor Williams' arm and making him groan. "You ruined someone's marriage for what? Money or lust?"
"I am not like that. I wasn't after her money or body," he claimed.
"Wasn't? So she is no more?" I accused.
"No. I mean, yes," Doctor Williams struggled to give us the truth. "Mary is very much alive. Why do you think I have murdered her? I have no motive to do that."
I slapped the wrinkled paper on Williams' face. "Here is why. Mary Sinclair wrote her decision on this. Her life depended on your willingness to accept the baby. She said she would commit suicide if you said no."
"No!" Williams exclaimed. He tried to free himself from Frank's deadly grip, but my friend wouldn't let go. "Release me so that we can talk like adults. It is not a children's game. I can sue you for holding me against my will and physical assault."
"Don't act like a girl. I threw a piece of paper at your face, and its sharp corners barely grazed you. The cops would laugh at you for that," I said.
Frank released him without asking me. "He is right. We have no right to be cruel to him without proof of a crime. The police shall handle the rest if he has done something wrong."
"You two have lost your minds," said Williams, adjusting his clothes and relaxing his arms. "Mary may have written that in emotion, but she is perfectly fine. I am a responsible person thrilled to have a child with her."
"Why?" Frank asked.
"Why not?" Williams smiled shyly. "She is a wonderful woman, and I am head over heels in love with her."
Frank and I cringed at his reply. Did he have to fall in love with my mother-in-law? If I ever get married to Nathan, family reunions wouldn't be less than a reality show filled with over-the-top drama.
"So you two are about to elope? I would never allow this as Nathan's fiancé. I will tell him everything before you can leave with her," I threatened.
"No. When two people are in love, they don't need to hide. We will do everything the right way. Mary and I have decided to disclose our relationship and decision after your engagement party. She will get a divorce, and we'll start a new life elsewhere, probably close to Nathan's home," he explained.
The doctor was making sense, and I didn't like that. She had the right to divorce and be with whomever she wanted. There was no crime in that. "Where is she then? I can't believe you until I see her," I said.
"She went to see Nathan," Williams replied calmly. "And I request you two to keep our secret safe before the engagement party."
"Sure," Frank answered for the both of us. "You can trust us."
The doctor thanked us for it, and we left.
"What the hell? Do you seriously believe him?" I said to Frank in the corridor.
"No." Frank squinted his eyes in the air. "I don't believe a word he says. That's why we need to corner Mrs. Sinclair and force the truth out of her. They are hiding something without a doubt."