**Annabelle**
Richard sent back a thumbs up texting and I wondered what restaurant he would take me to this time. After the case with Stephanie, he was made a detective so he seems pretty busy these days yet always finds time to take me out on dates. I know what he wants from me I’m not sure I can give it just yet.
I’m focusing on my company and nothing more.
“Right….”
My subconscious teased as I refused to raise my head up. Proving it wrong, I raised my head up as Ava broke the kiss away.
“Oh hi Annabelle, I didn’t see you there.”
She chuckled still glowing. I didn’t know pregnant women could be like this. I thought they would be cranky but Ava is just all over the place. Her life is going great so I guess I’m not surprised.
“Hey honey, you seem stressed. I’m sure you can take an hour off so we could get something to eat. The baby and I are hungry.”
She cooed knowing Fallon might say no if she asked herself.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
He agreed swiftly making me roll my eyes. I guess we aren’t going to have that discussion after all. I wonder what he had to say to me.
****
After they left, I focused on my company. It was boring for now because it was all about book keeping, making sure nothing was going wrong. I just can’t wait for it to end.
I was deep in thoughts until my phone began ringing.
**Hi Richard.**
I said answering.
**Oh hi Annabelle. I know this is stupid but I have to cancel our date. A new body just showed up and normally I would let it go but I have a feeling about it.**
**Really?**
**Yes. I can tell it’s not what it seems.**
**Well what does it look like.**
**A robbery gone wrong.**
**Then what’s wrong?**
**It’s the manner in which he was killed. It looked like an amateur shot him so ran off or something and dumped his body but forensic says he’s been dead for weeks. Why would someone wait that long if it was just a robbery and he has marks on him like he was dragged and that’s not weird but he was found under a bridge and it’s really busy which means he was dumped there and traffic cams shows a car dumping him. It’s just not your normal M. O.**
**That means he wasn’t just a victim of robbery. Someone killed him.**
**That’s my theory but maybe it’s crazy.**
**It’s not. I think you should follow it. There’s a killer out there and you’ll find that person and get justice for that dead guy.**
**I’ll do my best. I’m sorry I cancelled again.**
**It’s fine. I’m kind of free right now, do you mind if I come over.**
**You want to play detective?**
**Maybe a little.**
**Sure. You can come.**
**I’ll be there soon.**
I smiled to myself and hung up. My interest was piqued in this case for some stupid reason.
” Or maybe you want to get your mind off Fallon and Ava.”
“Shut up.”
I reprimanded my inner voice, grabbed my things and left the office.
***
I arrived at the precent and Richard was working in his office.
“Hi…”
I greeted. We hugged briefly before I let him go.
On his desk were pictures of the dead guy.
“Wow…”
I remarked and he sighed.
“Everyone thinks it’s crazy. It should be an open and shut case.”
“What does your gut tell you?”
“That there’s something more.”
“So investigate.”
I urged him and he nodded.
“What was found with him?”
I asked curiously.
“Nothing supporting the robbery theory. No money, no wristwatch no person items.”
“Who would want to rob a guy like him?”
“That’s just it. He’s a nobody. That’s what makes it strange.”
“Where does he work?”
“A movie industry.”
I froze for a second.
“Which one?”
“Umm… Switch I think.”
I exhaled. It doesn’t mean anything if the dead guy worked with Ava. It’s a big industry so they might not have met.
“Are you okay? Does it mean something to you?”
“No. Nothing.”
I replied all too quick.
“Why don’t you start from where he was last seen.”
“At work. His friends said he went to the hospital but toxic shows that he wasn’t sick.”
“That’s odd. What hospital?”
“Richmond. I sent an officer there already so we should know why he was there anytime from now.”
The door creaked open and an office walked in.
“It’s fine. You can speak freely.”
He nudged the officer.
“I checked the hospital Sir. Mr Nelson was there for a paternity test. ”
I froze again. Things just got weirder.
“I want to get a report of that test.”
“Already requested for Sir. It’ll be sent in soon.”
“Alright. Thank you officer.”
He nodded his head and walked out. Richard sighed and I was wondering why someone would allegedly Rob and kill a man who just wanted to know the father of a child or maybe he was killed for that reason.
“I have to go make a call. I’ll be right back.”
“Alright.”
Richard said still looking at the pictures.
I took my phone out and dialed Ava’s number.
**Hi.**
**Umm, I’m sorry to disturb but did you know anyone named Nelson from Switch industry.**
There was no response and I had to check.
**No.**
She stuttered with shaky breath.
**Why do you ask?**
**Because Richard is investigating his murder.**
**He’s dead.**
She gulped. I heard her clearly over the phone.
**He is.**
**Oh my.**
**Yeah. But since you don’t know him. It’s fine. I’ll leave you now. Bye.**
I hung up biting my lips. That was really strange. At least I won’t have to rack my brain for long, in no time, we’ll know why Nelson was at the hospital. Once we solve that piece of the puzzle, I just had this feeling all the others would fit in.
I walked back into the office and Richard was on his computer staring at something. There was something about the way he stared at it. It’s like… I just couldn’t figure it out.
“Is that the file?”
I asked, my heart racing.
“Yes.”
He replied and I shuddered for some reason.
****