George and Rachel came down from the taxi they had booked to return home. Instead of stopping right in front of the villa’s gate, George told the driver to stop at the final junction that led to the villa.
It would be better if he and Rachel walked home from there. Who knows?….
If the bodyguards at the gate caught sight of the taxi driver and the plate number of his car, they could go as far as kidnapping him just to demand for where he and Rachel are coming back from.
George was not hundred percent sure but he had a strong feeling that Morris believed that Patricia was not dead yet.
Watching his own mother get crippled was enough for him, he would never allow Morris to harm her a second time. Because, she would really die if he had a second chance.
“Is it possible that Morris has sent some guys to check the database of all the hospital’s in the country?” Rachel asked as they walked down the road.
“That’s exactly my thought. I believe so but luckily, Tony has moved her away to a private apartment. Also, I was able to convince the doctor to wipe out her record from the hospital. It would be as if she never showed up there.” George answered, sighing in relief.
“I’m so glad the doctor was understanding. What is the next step now?”
George glanced at her “The only thing that makes sense now is to put the bad guys in prison. Once we get home, I’ll reach out to my mother’s lawyer and you’ll reach out to your friend, Sophia. We know where to go from here” George muttered.
As they walked, almost close to the villa, Rachel caught sight of someone familiar walking down from the villa gate, towards their direction….
“Isn’t that James?” She said to George, squinting her eyes to see clearly. He was still a bit far away.
After a minute, James walked up to them and they exchanged greetings.
As George and Rachel turned to continue walking, James suddenly voiced out “I know where the both of you are coming from…”
Rachel and George halted their steps instantly.
Rachel blinked, her lips stretching out in a thin smile. She looked at James “Of course, we went out to have some fun. Where else would we be coming from?”
James smiled, “You are coming back from the hospital where your mother is receiving treatment….”
“That makes no sense. What hospital are you talking about?” George asked.
James said exactly the name of the hospital where Patricia received treatment before George took her away.
George stared at him in shock while Rachel held her breath. What was this all about? James was aware of everything? They never told him anything so was he working along with his parents? Has he decided to stand with his parents despite everything they had done?
Rachel glared at him. She thought he was better than his mother, what was wrong with him now?
“I also know that you have taken her away from there to a different place….” James added
George fisted his hand and stepped forward. If this guy tried any nonsense, he might as well just beat him to a pulp right here…..
He would not allow another member of the villa to frustrate his life again, in any way. He had really had enough this time.
“Calm down…” James muttered the moment George stepped forward with a fisted hand. “… You are misunderstanding me. What do you take me for?”
Rachel eyed him. “Despite the fact that you know everything your parents have done, haven’t you chosen to stand by them regardless? Besides, how did you even know the hospital where Mrs Patricia was receiving treatment? Why did you remain quiet despite knowing that your parents tried to murder someone?”
James sighed. “I understand that both of you are frustrated right now but that doesn’t mean you should accuse me of something I have nothing to do with. And you, Rachel, I never thought you would ever doubt my loyalty. Don’t you think I have a mind of my own?”
Rachel frowned, slightly confused. “You usually listen to whatever your parents tell you to do so I thought th-”
“Well, not in this case. In fact, I have no intention to listen to them anymore. Imagine my shock eavesdropping from his library door and hearing them celebrate about killing Mrs Patricia. Never in my wildest dream would I have imagined they would do something like that. Are you expecting me to stand by murderers?”
Rachel sighed. “I am really sorry I jumped to conclusion. I don’t know what to expect from anybody right now so I’m obviously too touchy.”
James reached inside the pocket of his trouser and pulled out a small recording file. He raised his hand in Rachel’s direction.
“What’s this?” Rachel asked, taking it from him.
“There’s nothing much I can do to help both of you get the justice you deserve. Especially you, Rachel. I can’t believe your father has been trapped for six years over a wrong accusation. This is the only way I can help both of you right now, it contains the recording of both of them talking about killing Mrs Patricia.”
George smiled warmly. “I was not expecting that. Thank you for your help”
Rachel looked at James. “With all the evidence we have, this case will likely end in our favor. Are you sure you are ready to go against your parents? Your family? Your mother?”
James laughed. “Both of you are my family too. Besides, they have caused enough damage, don’t you think? It is time for them to pay the price for their actions.”
“Thank you so much James.” Rachel replied “By the way, how did you know where the hospital where Mrs Patricia was?”
“I asked some of my men to follow both of you a-”
“What??!!” George and Rachel yelled in unison.
“Calm down, calm down…” James muttered, taking a step back “… hear me out first, huh?”
“Alright. Go on”
“I just ordered them to follow and protect both of you in any way from afar. I was worried that Morris’s guys would trace both of you and cause more trouble. That was all.”
“Oh, I see” George mumbled, eyeing James.
“Anyway, I’m heading out right now,” James smiled warmly. “One thing I’d like to say is that you shouldn’t waste time opening a case against them. Do it soon. If not, all your efforts will be in vain.”
~~~~~*~~~~~
“Are they back yet?” Morris asked Raymond who was standing in front of him. Judith sat on another chair, munching on a piece of pineapple.
“Yes sir. About thirty minutes ago”
“So, tell me. Were you able to track them down on their way to wherever they were heading to?”
“Unfortunately, George didn’t use his car this morning.” Raymond answered
“Uh, look at that. He beat you to it…” Judith muttered, looking at Morris. “… He already knew you were going to track his car. He is smarter than I expected.”
“And what did you do after that?” Morris asked Raymond, the pitch of his voice getting higher. “Did you just sit back and let them go just because the car was abandoned?”
“N-no sir. I had some men follow them around”
“So what’s the feedback? Since George and Rachel are back, the men you sent should have feedback right? They should know where they are hiding Patricia’s body, right?” Judith chipped in.
“Well, they followed them to a far distance but somehow, they l-lost them on the way”
Morris jumped to his first. “What? You have the guts to open your mouth to give me this useless feedback? What exactly am I paying you for, you imbecile? You let them go at this critical point? Don’t you understand how important this is?”
“Forgive me for my incompetence sir!”
“Save your breath…” Morris yelled at him. Fuming angrily, he tapped the edge of the wooden table with his knuckle. “…. I am very sure Patricia is still alive.”
“Are you saying she didn’t die from the bullet aimed at her chest?” Judith asked.
“Very possible. People survive things like that when you least expect it. Thinking about it now, George doesn’t look like someone who is planning his mother’s burial. If Patricia was really dead, he would look different”
“That’s true. You have a point” Judith responded.
Morris nodded. “I have not seen Mr Anderson lately. I heard he took a sudden leave from work for a while now”
“You really don’t believe that, do you?” Judith waved off his statement. “We both know he has always been suspecting you regarding Arthur Reeves sudden arrest. He just had to pretend and keep it in since he was threatened back then. I believe he is working with George behind the scenes.”
“I am aware of that.” Morris sat down “Anyway, he is not important to me right now. There are more important things to focus on. Raymond?!”
“Yes sir!”
“Find a way to figure out Patricia’s location. I don’t believe she is dead. When you find her, finish it on the spot. You must not miss it this time or I won’t forgive you. Keep an eye on all the top hospitals in this area, far and near. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir!”
“You can leave. I need to set everything in place for the shareholder meeting happening tomorrow.”