Chapter 27 Between Two Protectors
"Let's get out of here" Rowan said, guiding Amanda out of the police department. Amanda was still puzzled, she was curious about Detective Wills's reaction.
"What's your address? Rowan asked when they got back into the car.
"Road 18, Queen's…hmn." Amanda paused. She was lost in thought she didn't think before she answered.
"Why did you ask for my address? She questioned.
"Do you want me to take you to my house instead?" Rowan pulled her legs. "Please tell the driver your address so he can drop you at home first.
Amanda thought about the possible disadvantages of Rowan taking her home.
What if he sees any of my kids?She thought.
"You don't have to worry about me. I will find my way home." Amanda said, trying to get out of the car.
Rowan held her back. "That is not happening. You want me to leave you to go home all by yourself despite all that has happened today?
"Rowan" Amanda called his name in a pleading manner.
"No. Did you even hear the cryptic words of that detective? I don't even know what is keeping him on the run yet and you want me to leave you by yourself?" Rowan answered.
When Amanda did not say anything, he continued.
"If you won't talk then, you leave me no choice than to take you with me" To the driver, "Please go ahead."
Amanda knew going home with him was a terrible idea. The possibility of him seeing her kids is very low so she decided to take the risk.
"Road 18, Queen's Court, Sunset Boulevard." She said reluctantly.
"Good. Rowan said, relaxing in his seat.
The drive back was mostly silent, both lost in their thoughts. Amanda couldn't shake off her unease. She prayed things doesn't go out of hand.
"Here we are" Amanda got out of the car and was surprised to see Rowan out of the car too.
"What are you doing? Amanda asked, uncomfortable.
"I want to walk you to the door" Rowan answered.
"That's not necessary. I am home now." Amanda retorted.
"Well, I am a gentleman" Rowan said. His wide smile sat perfectly on his face.
"And you are my boss" Amanda said quickly. "What if someone sees you?"
Rowan moved closer to her, he was just an inch from her.
"Am I just your boss? He asked, looking straight into her eyes.
Uncomfortable at Rowan's presence in her house, Amanda stood still, not knowing the right word to say.
"Hmmm, Amanda?" Rowan asked again.
This time, his lips were closer to Amanda's
"Errmm.." She stammered, Rowan's proximity distracted her thoughts. She struggled between giving in to the kiss that is about to land on her lips and the fear that her kids could come out.
"What are you doing?" She managed to ask.
"Maybe I should show you" Rowan responded under his breath.
"Amanda!" Mrs. Roberts called.
Amanda froze at the sound of the door. Rowan quickly moved away, embarrassed.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Mrs. Roberts asked. Although she was sailing, she didn't intend to interrupt them like that.
"Meet my mother," Amanda said, trying to maintain her composure. "This is Rowan, Mr. Rowan Xi, my boss"
"Oh, it is nice to finally meet the Rowan Xi we only see on TV." Mrs. Roberts greeted, joyfully.
"It's my pleasure" Rowan answered, still embarrassed.
"I will leave you two to it then." Mrs Roberts said before turning to Amanda. "Learn to pick my calls, to avoid situations like this. Good luck with that" she teased.
Amanda sighed in relief. She remembered her phone and she quickly searched her bag.
"My Goodness. I left my phone at the police department."
"Oh, he can get that for you." Rowan pointed to his driver
"No. It's late already. I will get it tomorrow. I don't have a need for it tonight anyways.
"Alright. I guess I should leave now" Rowan said.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Amanda responded.
"Thanks for the ride" Amanda shouted when the car started moving.
In the early hours of the morning, Amanda walked to the door, half awake. The sound of the bell woke her up.
Surprised at the early hour, she peered through the peephole and saw Detective Wills standing outside. She quickly opened the door.
"Detective Wills?" She asked, still groggy.
"Wills! I feel more comfortable with just Wills." He responded, smiling.
Amanda nodded, acknowledging what he said. "Is everything alright?"
Wills gave her a weary smile. "Sorry to disturb your sleep, I came to return your phone. You left it at my office yesterday."
"You came because of this? I was going to come for it on my way to work." Amanda took the phone from his extended hand.
"I would have brought it back yesterday but I returned late, I wanted to give it back before you go to work." Wills explained.
"Thank you so much, I appreciate this." Amanda smiled at him.
Wills looked somber. "There's something else I need to tell you, Amanda."
Amanda's eyes widened "Okay?"
"Can I come in?" Wills asked.
"Sure" She opened the door wide enough for him to go in and she followed.
"It's about your meeting with the hotel attendant. That won't be happening anymore" Wills said, his expression showing that he is disturbed.
A chill ran down Amanda's spine as she listened to Wills. "What happened?"
Wills sighed heavily. "I'm afraid it's not good news. She has been murdered.
"What!" Amanda screamed. Her scream was loud enough to have the whole house. Mrs. Roberts rushed to the living room.
"What is going on here?" Her mother asked. She wasn't aware of Detective Wills's presence until he spoke.
"There was another murder. The hotel attendant was stabbed to death in her apartment yesterday afternoon."
Mrs. Roberts gasped, shock and fear washing over her. "Murdered? Why?"
"They were trying to stop her from identifying them as Mr. Kenny's murderers, It's obvious now that somebody else killed him. They were just trying to frame Amanda." Wills explained.
"Which is why you have to be careful." Wills continued. "Investigation is ongoing. That murder was a targeted attack and we don't know who the next target is. You are a key part of this investigation."
Amanda nodded. The shock has left her speechless, her mind raced with different thoughts.
"This case is getting more complicated. I thought Mrs. Laura was at the hotel, I even imagined she beat her husband to death out of anger. Now there is another murder?" Mrs. Roberts asked, trying to trace the dot.
Wills looked at Amanda. "You didn't inform her?" He then continued to explain to Mrs. Roberts.
"Mrs. Laura claimed she was not at the hotel, she didn't even receive any of Amanda's messages."
"How do you know she is telling the truth?" Adora asked. They have been peeping from the bedroom door since Amanda screamed.
"People lie every time you know," Adora added.
Amanda regained her voice. "Go back inside darling" this conversation is between adults."
"The girl is right. How do we know she is not telling lies?" Mrs. Roberts responded.
"Mother, the number I sent those texts to isn't hers. Detective Wills confirmed it."
"How did you know that? In whose name was it registered?" Tyler asked. They were no longer peeping, they have joined their mother in the living room.
"I was going to look into that before the news about the hotel attendant came in. I will do that today."
"That's true. I got the number from Mr. Kenny's profile at work. It is not possible to have a different number in his profile. Is it?" Amanda asked.
"That is another point, except he has another wife." Mrs. Roberts added.
"You can also check for messages on that number, since Mummy sent the messages there, it is enough to prove that she is innocent right?" Mason asked.
"How is that even possible when they don't even know who has the number yet? Don't you need a phone to check the messages.?" Adora asked.
"That's easy. Mummy works at a telecommunication company now. They have access to informations like that." Ryan said.
"Isn't that illegal?" Tyler asked. "Telecommunication companies are subject to strict privacy regulations and laws that protect the confidentiality of users communications."
"Not when you have proper authorization like a court-issued warrant, police order, etc. We did it in basic law." Ryan answered.
"And here is a detective. That's a done deal already, isn't it Detective Wills? Mason asked.
"Yes, it is. You guys are smart, I must say." Detective Wills who has been listening to the kids answered.
"Now there is something you have to do for me." Wills continued. "You have to be very careful. There are evil people out there and till we find them, I want you to watch out for one another. Okay?"
"Yes, detective." They all chorused.
"Now go in, you have to go to school, isn't it?" He added.
"Yes, detective". Tyler answered. The rest rushed into the bedroom.
"Thank you," Amanda said softly.
Wills gave her a reassuring nod. "Your safety is our priority. Please be cautious and keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"I will," Amanda responded. "Thank you once again, Detective"
"Wills!" He corrected Amanda.
"Sorry, Wills." She walked him out of the apartment.
Back inside, Mrs. Roberts gave Amanda a teasing smile.
"What now Mother? " she asked.
"Yesterday it was your boss, this morning it is the detective." Her mother teased.
"What are you insinuating?" Amanda asked, confused.
"Did you not see the way he looked at you? And the " Wills, not detective"? Mrs. Roberts laughs. "I can tell at a glance he is in love with you."
"Mother!" Amanda yelled, embarrassed by her mother's words. "Do you think every man is in love with me? He is just a detective doing his job. Maybe he is a nice detective though."
"I know what I saw," Mrs Roberts teased further.
"Whatever mother. Is this even the right time to see things like that?" Amanda said frustrated.
"Are you not going to get married?" Her mother pressed further.
"Again with this marriage talk, not this morning please," Amanda said, trying to walk away. Her mother pulled her back.
"Mother!" The sound of the bell disrupts their conversation.
"Now who is that again?"