Now, Nichole’s phone had booted, and she began to go through her messages to check if there were any from Zoey. The messages she got were mainly best wishes from her children and many other numbers that were not on her contact list.
She looked at her husband, who was already upset, and said, “Hubby, she did not send any message to me.”
“Kindly let me have the phone,” he requested worriedly.
Now, she handed over her phone to him and sat beside him. At that point, many thoughts went through his mind, but he did not wish to scare her by saying that Zoey must have been abducted. Secondly, the abductors may contact her for a ransom since it was her car that Zoey used. Out of curiosity, he carefully, read through the messages from the random numbers one after the other. His eyes beamed when he got to Stephen’s message.
(Nichole, it is unfortunate that we have to meet like this. I had to take you away so that I could give you the love that you deserve. Arthur does not have anything to offer you. The janitor will take care of your needs until I return from my trip. Love from Stephen.)
He looked at her, and she was innocently watching the television. Then, he thought of how to leave the house without raising her suspicion.
‘What does Stephen want from me? Yes, you are facinorous but cotton-headed ninny mugging. I will teach you that I am still Arthur. The dreaded Arthur Bailey in those days,’ he said to himself.
Now, he sent a message to Freya and her husband.
(Phil, if you are not too busy, I want to see you and your family now.)
Phil, who can go out of his way to make his father-in-law happy, thought that it had to do with the wedding. Likewise, he replied at once.
(Okay, Father. We will be with you soon.)
From the look of things, he was not interested in anything else, rather than to rescue Zoey and kill Stephen. To keep Nichole away from noticing that he was tensed, he praised her.
“You were beautiful at the registry today, Nichole.”
Nichole smiled broadly. She turned and looked at him and appreciated him, “Thank you, dear. Was I prettier than before?”
“Yes. You became prettier the moment the registrar pronounced us husband and wife.”
Nichole laughed heartily and after fifteen minutes, Arthur’s phone rang. He quickly checked it, and the call was from Phil. He had arrived with his family.
Then, he announced, “Freya and her family are here.”
Now, Nichole jolted and headed towards the door. Just then, he heard Daniel’s voice, “Grandma and Grandpa. I am here.”
Nichole rushed to the parlor, and Arthur used the chance and took another car key from the wardrobe and joined them in the parlor armed with Nichole’s phone.
“Congratulations, Mom and Father, once again,” Phil and Freya greeted them.
Arthur lifted Daniel and put him down. He was thrilled. Without taking time, he announced, “Freya, you will stay with your mom. I want to get some goodies for us.”
“Wow! That is good. See you later, Father,” she answered happily, hoping that it was connected with the wedding.
“See you later, Hubby,” Nichole who was excited to see Daniel, said.
“It is okay. Phil, kindly come with me.”
“It is all right, Father.”
They walked out of the house, and Phil waited in the courtyard while Arthur drove another car out of the garage. Phil looked at the car in dismay before he joined him and they drove out of his apartment. When they got to the main gate, he parked.
Now, Phil, who had suspected that all was not well, asked him, “I hope there is no problem, Father?”
“There is a problem, Phil,” he answered him in despondency.
Phil was excited, and his father-in-law noticed it. Then, he emphasized, “The slaps that Stephen, that scoundrel, got from Denise on Saturday were not enough for him. I will deal with him. Take a look at this.”
He showed him the message and he read through it. Then he screamed, “What? Since yesterday morning. Let us report to the authorities.”
“Certainly. We are going to the station right away.”
“It is obvious that it was Mother that he wanted to abduct.”
“Of course.”
“This is serious, Father. That would have disrupted your marriage today.”
He ignored his assumption and turned on his ignition. Then, they drove to the station and lodged their complaints.
“This is serious. We apologize for the embarrassment. Two of our men will go with you,” the Chief Constable urged him after listening to his complaints.
Before they could leave the police station with two policemen, he got a call from Zoey’s husband.
“Hello, Arthur. I am at your house. Your security guards said you just left the house.”
“Yes. He is right.”
“Where can I meet you?”
Arthur, who did not want his wife to be disturbed by the response he would give to him, was worried and asked him, “Where are you?”
“I just left your house.”
“It is okay. Meet us at the police station.”
“Police station?” he asked him anxiously.
“Yes. We are at the gate.”
“I got it.”
Nevertheless, Arthur addressed the two policemen after the call, “Gentlemen, you will bear with us. The abducted woman’s husband will join us soon.”
“It is all right, Mr. Bailey.”
Then, they began to wait. The drive from the Bailey Native Home to the police station was about ten to fifteen minutes, depending on the traffic flow. Nevertheless, Oscar got to them in good time. He got out of his car and walked to Arthur’s car. He was startled to see two policemen with him.
“I hope there is no problem, Arthur,” he inquired immediately.
Arthur looked at the disgruntled man before him, who had lost some weight. To avoid making things more difficult for him, he simply announced, “We are paying Stephen a visit.”
Oscar searched his face for any clue, but he got none. Then he inquired about what was bothering him, “And thereafter, we will visit the hospital and ask of my wife. I guess?”
Arthur gave him a cursory response, “Come with us.”
He walked back to his car, got in, and drove behind Arthur while the two policemen came after them in the police van. They got to Stephen’s residence after a few minutes’ drive and parked. They got out of their cars and walked behind the two policemen. Against their expectations, Stephen’s house was locked. Now, all eyes were on Arthur.
“Can I see the messages again?” One of the police officers requested.
He showed him the message, and he read through it again.
“The janitor is supposed to be at home,” the police officer pointed out.
“Yes, and look at Stephen’s dusty car. It means he is out of town,” Phil declared.
“Can you knock on the door? The janitor could be in the kitchen or the room cleaning.” Arthur advised him.
The police officer took his advice and knocked vehemently on the door, “This is the police. Open the door,” he announced
That order became Zoey’s saving grace.