Chapter 134 Mathew Gibson
“No,” she whispered. “I didn’t see the face. Just… lights...”
The officers exchanged a quick glance. The taller one jotted something on his notepad.
“Can you give us a detailed statement of what happened? He asked gently, “We’ve already spoken to the security and obtained CCTV footage…”
“Isn’t it too early to question an accident victim when she is still in recovery?” Maverick's deep voice cut them off. His voice carried the tone of someone who was used to being obeyed. Maverick looked at them and he could tell they were rookies trying to solve a case.
The two officers looked up at the person who had just spoken and color drained from their face.
Heaven touched his arm lightly. “Mave…?”
He looked down at her immediately, his expression softening
“It’s okay. They’re just doing their job.”
As police officers they could recognize him instantly even in plain clothes, Maverick Richard was unmistakably. The son of the most influential Military family known for their iron discipline and their good deeds and clean slate.
“S-sir,” the taller officer apologized, “we didn’t mean to overstep but the case has been upgraded. The other accident victim was struck and didn’t make it, so it’s now treated like a Murder case.”
Heaven's heart skipped. “What do you mean the other victim died, I was the only..”
She paused and remembered someone had indeed shoved her, sending her falling sideways just as the headlights blinded her.
Someone had taken the hit for her.
Her heart turned erratic, beating fast.
“Who shoved me? She asked, her body was already trembling.
“Who was it?”
The men looked at Maverick seeking permission to talk because his face was ice cold and his eyes were shooting bullets.
“Please..” her voice cracked and she turned to Maverick. “Tell them to answer me, ”
“All these can happen in the morning, it’s already late, you should get some rest.” Maverick told her, giving the least attention to anything but her.
Heaven looked at him in disbelief. “Maverick,” her voice raised an octave. “someone died protecting me. A car that should have smashed into me, we wouldn’t even be standing here right now if he hadn’t…” Her throat closed. “And you want me to just… go to sleep?”
Maverick looked at her his eyes hard standing on his words but he soon hesitated, he gave the officers a slight nod to speak.
The short officer then opened his notepad and cleared his throat.
“He was identified as Mathew Gibson,” he said carefully “He is a street vendor who sells hand made bracelets . Several witnesses said he shoved you out but his legs got stuck in the loophole, he couldn’t get out on time and was crushed.”
Heaven's legs gave way.
Maverick caught her instantly, his strong arms wrapped around her waist pulling her against his chest.
This was why he didn’t want any information given to her right now. He shot daggers at the officers again.
Her vision blurred tears poured down her eyes.
She remembered his smile when she offered him the 100 dollar bills and asked him to keep the change. The way his eyes lit with gratitude. Why would he do such a thing for her?
Her chest carved in she bawled her eyes.
“Where is he right now?” She finally let out.
Fabian, who had been quiet since watching, stepped in. “Maverick take her inside, “I’ll go to the morgue. I’ll speak with the family, arrange compensation and do whatever needs to be done.”
Maverick didn’t agree with Fabian on most things but this moment he was sensible.
She shoved against Fabian’s chest.
“I’m the one he saved,” she said, her voice shaking with anger and grief.
“You both don’t have the right to decide what happens next. I won't let you handle this for me. I decide.”
She pulled free from Maverick’s arms with a force that shocked Maverick.
“You don’t need to tell me anything,” she told the officers, wiping her face with the back of her hand. “This is my hospital. I’ll find out myself.”
She turned and walked down towards the corridor ignoring the pain from
Her concussion.
Maverick stared at her for a bit before he moved with long strides closing the distance in seconds.
He didn’t grab her this time. He simply fell into step beside her.
In front of the morgue, under the flickering light a little girl no more than six knelt on the floor, her tiny shoulders heaved with sobs.
In front of her lay a stretcher covered with a white sheet. The human beneath it laid still.
“Pa…pa”
The little girl reached out her hand and shook on the body continuously but there was no response.
A nurse stood a few steps away wriggling her hand. Not knowing how to console the little girl.
The little girl had tattered clothes—- pale pink dress torn at the hem, her faded black cardigan was soaked through the rain. Her hair laid in clumps like it had barely ever been combed. She had no slippers; her bare feet were filthy with cuts.
Her nails were lodged with dirt and she had been drenched by the rain. Even as she sobbed she shivered in the cold.
The nurse came closer.
“She’s his granddaughter. His only family. He sold bracelets every day just to feed her. And now…” She trailed off, swallowing hard. “He’s gone, and she’s got no one.”
Heaven stood frozen a few feet away. Her heart squeezed so tightly she couldn’t breath properly. Her hands clenched at her sides until her nails dug into her palms.
“Poor girl,” the mortician said, sighing deeply.
Heaven's gaze never left the child. Tears burned in her eyes but she refused to let them fall.
Maverick watched her from the corner of his eyes. He noticed how her body locked until her hand shook. Instinctively he reached for her hand to anchor her.
She pulled away before his fingers could close around hers.