**Annabelle**
So yeah, I know I sound like a crazy person right now. I mean, think about. Who stays behind for the two people who’ve caused her pain. Fallon did. Ava’s just misguided and hurt so I can’t blame her for doing the horrible things she’s done.
But still, I cannot and will not turn my backs on them. I won’t allow innocent people to become collateral damage in this war we’re fighting which is why against my better judgement, I’ll remain the Lion’s den. Stephanie would be back soon and rub it in my face the new way she’s decided to ruin all our lives. I’ll know and somehow, I can warn everyone else but for now, I cannot leave.
“Please, understand me inspector. People’s Lives are in danger.”
“Yes, including yours which is why we’re here to help you. You’re not an officer, you’re just a citizen who protecting is my job so I cannot let you put yourself in danger like this.”
“You’re not letting me do anything inspector. This is best possible scenario. If you take me all gun blazing out there, for all we know people might get hurt and she’ll definately act out and accelerate her plan. You saw what she did at the hospital, that’s just the tip of the iceberg, she’s angry and ready to do much more than that.”
“Why does Stephanie Smith hate you three.”
He got out a recorder, I heard approaching footsteps. We didn’t have much time.
“There’s no time for that inspector. Ava Mitch will tell you everything you want to know. Go to her, ask her about Stephanie Smith. Tell her everything. All you need to know is that I hired the private investigator. It’s my fault Stephanie killed him, Ava knows the rest. You really need to go now inspector.”
“How would you contact me? This is just suicide!”
“I contacted you once before right? Have faith that I’ll do it again. Now go inspector, go!”
I raised my voice a little. He ran towards the door staying silently behind it. Once it creaked open, he used that opportunity to escape. I breathed in relief.
“You’ve lost it. I heard voices.”
“Like you said, I’ve lose it. Isolation would do that you so I’m officially talking to myself.”
Stephanie shook her head lightly, snapped her finger so one of her men could get her a chair.
“Now, for the moment we’ve all been waiting for….”
She clapped before taking a seat, getting her laptop out.
**Inspector**
I have to be smart about what I do next. Going to my commanding officer and telling him I let a civilian stay in captivity would have me disbarred and maybe even put on a psych ward or something.
I have to be careful and take things slowly.
The first step would be to put things together. I’ll follow Miss Sinclair’s advise. Ava Mitch has the answers I need.
On getting back to my team, I informed them that the mission was a bust. I took recon and we would be back to infiltrate. No one ask questions so we were on our way.
I got back to the station and thankfully Mrs Mitch was still there but she arranged her things about to leave.
“Inspector. You’re back. I’m afraid I have to leave, I’ll go see someone who believes my life is in danger. My husband life and my baby.”
“I do believe your life is in danger, your husband and your baby but you’re getting it all wrong Mrs.”
I carefully shut the door and faced her.
“Annabelle Sinclair isn’t the villain here. She’s a victim, she was kidnapped and she’s currently being held against her will.”
Mrs Mitch started chuckling lightly.
“Am sorry. I just couldn’t help myself. Who would want to kidnap Annabelle. It’s a plot or something, she’s playing you inspector. Annabelle did everything ”
“No she didn’t. Stephanie Smith did.”
Mrs Mitch paused like her brain was doing the math in her head.
“S-Stephanie….”
She trailed off.
“Yes, I hear you took her boyfriend from her, got pregnant and even married him. Doesn’t that count as reason for assault in your book. It sure as hell beats your reason. What I don’t get is why she kidnaped Miss Sinclair.”
“Fallon and Annabelle had history before Stephanie came along..”
My mouth formed an “o”. Things made much sense now. I even got why Mrs Mitch acted all aggressive about Annabelle. It’s obvious she still sees her as a threat. Ive gotten all the information and the breakdown of the case is thus.
Fallon Mitch met Annabelle Sinclair first. They hit off and due to some reasons, they broke up for a while. After sometime, he started dating Miss Smith and Miss Sinclair returned making feelings resurface. Once again, Miss Smith left and then Mrs Mitch was lucky enough to be the expectant mother of his children so he had to marry her.
Of course she would still feel threatened. She might love him but at the back of her mind, it’ll always be there that he just didn’t want his child to be called a bastard.
“I need to go now. My husband’s about to be discharged. I’ll take him home, he needs rest. I’ll be back here soon.”
“Alright ma’am. I’ll have some of my men follow you.”
“Thank you inspector. For everything. I can’t even begin to describe how terrible I feel right now.”
She bowed her head slightly before walking away.
Another case, done and dusted.
**Annabelle**
“Great.”
Stephanie says hanging up.
“What’s great?”
“Oh cheer up. The plan is in motion now.”
“What plan Stephanie. What did you do?”
“Me. Nothing. Technology did everything.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m approximately thirty minutes, your dearest ex friend, Ava would pick up Fallon from the hospital. Being the loving wife she so desperately wants to be, she’ll take him straight home. Here’s the dramatic twist, what happens when let’s say their car accidentally explodes. You see technology does has it flaws for example, a faulty break or a leaky fuel line. You’ll never know what could happen.”
My heart skipped a beat at her plan.
“Now seat back relax and let’s watch the fireworks.”
Now I’m sure she’s lost her mind.
****