SHAWN’S POV
“Hi, Mr Gold. I hope you remember me. I’m principal Campbell, your wife’s school principal and I’m here with a few students who are her classmates,” the principal said as they got close to him.
“I do remember you. To what do I owe this visit?”
“Can we talk inside, please?”
“Of course. Come on in,” he said and led the way into the house. They got to the sitting room and he gestured to the couches for them to sit on.
“We saw the news, Mr Gold, and we are here to offer our condolences to you and as well hear what happened,” the principal said after they were all seated.
“I appreciate your concern and you all deeming it fit to visit. She was kidnapped on her way to school five days ago, and since then, no one has heard from her.”
“We are aware that this is a difficult time for you, and there are no words that can truly alleviate the pain you must be feeling. However, please know that our entire school community is here to support you in any way we can.”
“Thank you. “I am grateful for your support and the support of the students.”
“No thanks are necessary, Mr Gold. Tiffany is an integral part of our school community who has contributed immensely to the school and we all feel a deep sense of loss. We want you to know that we are willing to do everything in our power to help find her and bring her back to you.”
He mustered a weak smile, “I truly appreciate your kindness. It means the world to me knowing that she is not only loved by her family but also by her school.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment, before one of the students spoke up. He recognized her to be Tiffany’s best friend and she had visited Tiffany in the hospital alongside a boy “Mr Gold, we are her best friends,” she said, pointing to the boy. ‘Is there anything we can do?”
“Thank you for your willingness to help. Right now, the police are doing everything they can to find her, but I believe that having more people aware of her disappearance can only increase the chances of finding her. If you could, please spread the word among your friends and classmates. Maybe someone out there has seen something or knows something that could lead to her safe return,” he replied.
“We will do our best,” she replied, and other students nodded in agreement.
“We have to leave now. Thank you for having us,” Principal Campbell said, getting her feet.
“Please, wait. I need to offer you something,” he said.
“No, thank you. Maybe some other time,” principal Campbell said with a note of finality.
“Okay, then. Let me walk you outside,” he said and got on his feet.
They were at the door when Tiff’s friend spoke, “Principal Campbell, can I ask for a favour?”
“Is there a problem, Freya?”
“Not really. I and Timothy need to speak to Mr. Gold for a few minutes.”
“Okay, then. We will be waiting outside,” principal Campbell replied reluctantly and walked out with the other students.
“What is it you want to talk about?” Shawn asked when they were alone.
“We think you need to know something,” Freya began.
“Okay? What is it you think I should know?”
“When we visited Mary Quevara at the juvenile facility a few days back, she confided in me and Timothy…”
“Mary Quevara? Is that not the student that pushed her off the rooftop?” He asked, his eyes losing their color to anger.
“She is, but she told us something interesting.”
“What could she have told you?” asked, sounding uninterested.
“Mary told us someone had asked her to push Tiffany off the rooftop. It was a lady but she didn’t see her face as they only met once and she had sunshades on during their meeting.”
SHAWN’S POV
“And you believed her?” He was angry now.
“At first, no, not until Timothy here realized there was a familiarity between the lady Mary spoke about and the lady that convinced him to confess his feelings to Tiffany,” the girl paused to watch his reaction and he must admit that he was getting hooked by the story.
“Timothy compared the things Mary mentioned and realized it was the same person,”
“And how did you know that?”
“Mary mentioned that they met in the ladies car and she was driven by a man. The lady that accosted me on my way back from playing football was driven by a man that matched the description Mary gave, and we also met in her car like Mary did. Now, she was not so smart because despite wearing a mask and sunshades to hide her face, she never changed the car she used.” It was Timothy speaking now, and he paused to catch his breath before continuing. “She used a black Audi sedan. I was weary of her personality, so after I alighted from the car, I took note of the plate number. I wrote it down in a notebook and didn’t see the use of it until we visited Mary. Interest piqued, I sent the plate number to a friend whose father worked with her army and helped us look up the owner or the car…” Timothy paused again.
Shawn was impatient now as he quickly asked, ” who is the owner?”
“Rachel Sparks and on further investigation, we found she is your childhood friend and best friend.”
Shawn froze as they mentioned Rachel’s name. Was this some sort of a joke?
“Is this a joke or a prank?” He asked, his brows set.
“None of the above. We are honest about everything you have just heard.” Timothy said.
“And, there is something you should know too…” Freya said and hesitated.
“What is it?” He asked. He was weary of them dropping another shocking revelation.
“Tiffany is pregnant….”
“Pregnant?” Shawn and Timothy exclaimed simultaneously, their shock written on their faces.
“Yes. She confided in me before her kidnap. She found out at her recent modeling photoshoot. She didn’t want to tell you until she was sure she was not going to lose the baby.”
Shawn could feel his breath quicken as he leaned on the wall, trying to process the news.
“I can’t believe she is pregnant and being held captive. How will she cope with the baby?” Timothy asked, mortified.
“Thank you for the information. I will have to ask you people to leave. I’m finding it hard processing all of this information.”
“That’s alright. We reacted the same way when we found out. Take it easy on yourself, Mr. Gold. We will be leaving now,” Freya said and walked out with Timothy.
Shawn walked dazed to the couch and slumped on it. Tiffany was carrying his child? His flesh and blood? That explained the changes he has been noticing in her. The weight gain, excessive sleep and other symptoms she displayed. God! How could he have been so insensitive not to have read the handwriting on the wall?
Guilt began to eat at his heart as he sat on the couch, staring at space. Suddenly, he picked up his phone and called officer Fowler.
“I have information you might be needing for the investigation,” he said when Fowler picked up.
“Alright. Come over to the precinct,” Fowler said and the call ended.
Shawn hurried upstairs and changed into befitting clothes before rushing out.