It was the dawn of a new day, Lisa got herself ready to visit the hospital. She had made it a ritual to get down to her husband as early as possible. She had Margaret stay around full time to help with the kids.
Alex had requested several times for his kids but Lisa was against it. She wanted Alex to be more stable before bringing the kids over.
She had also decided to inform Alex about the surgery after his walk today. The doctor had informed her that he has a good prognosis and he was good to go.
“I brought some homemade cookies for you. It’s one of your favorites, you should try them out,” Lisa said and handed Alex’s favorite cookies to him. She had wheeled him out of his room into the open space within the hospital’s premises. She took her seat on a bench just right beside him.
“Oh, thanks,” Alex responded, “thanks so much Lisa, I owe you so much. I am glad you did not give up on me. Your relentless effort brought me this far. I am greatly indebted to you,” he added.
“Who will do it if I don’t,” Lisa responded with a shrug.
“There is a question I have been wanting to ask,” Alex declared.
“Ride on,” Lisa responded.
“I still remember vividly, you made me sign the papers and you were bent on going ahead to drop them. Why the change of mind? Why are you still with me? Were you compelled to stay because of the fire accident?” Alex asked.
“No, it wasn’t because of the fire. I had called your line almost immediately you left. I realized a missing puzzle after I was threatened with your life. I rushed down only to realize that there was a fire. You were badly burnt and I didn’t have access to see you. Why did you instruct your PA to put me in the dark?” Lisa fired and smacked him hard.
“I am sorry, I did not want you to see me in a pitiful state. I didn’t know I would end up in a coma..”
“You were in a coma for days and I didn’t have an idea,” Lisa said.
“I am sorry,” Alex muttered.
“Apology accepted,” Lisa said after smacking him again.
“Who threatened you with my life?” Alex asked curiously.
“It was MarieTanner your pregnant mistress.”
“Marie?” Alex responded and kept mute. He chewed on his cookies and asked quietly.
“Lisa, why did you change your mind? Why did you choose to stay with me? I am still puzzled,” he asked quietly.
“I realized I was been foolish. I remembered we once decided that you would have a vasectomy after Sammy’s birth,” Lisa said.
“So?” Alex asked looking bewildered.
“It occured to me that you must have had it during one of your trips.”
“What?!” Alex exclaimed, “what a dangerous assumption! I never had a vasectomy!” Alex said looking perturbed.
Lisa’s countenance changed instantly. She wheeled Alex back into his room and left without saying a word.
******
Mrs Clinton’s plea fell on Jane’s deaf ears, she was bent on driving down to see Sandra herself.
“Don’t worry mum, I know my way. I need to make it back in time. I have an appointment with Pat,” Jane complained. “It’s more reason why you need a driver,” Mrs Clinton responded. “Mum, I am not going on a tour. I am meeting with one of my clients. It’s confidential,” Jane said flatly and grabbed the car keys from her mother.
Mrs Clinton gave in, “drive safe!” She yelled as she watched Jane pull out of the compound.
Jane pulled over in front of Moore psychiatric hospital. She pulled over by the roadside and made her way in.
The receptionist welcomed her and informed the doctor about her presence. She was invited into the doctor’s office.
“What the heck did you do to my patient? She’s been calmer since you visited yesterday,” the doctor said.
“It’s confidential,” Jane responded with a smile and rose on her feet. “I need to see her right away. I’m in a hurry,” she added and the doctor led her to Sandra’s room.
“I thought you’d abandoned me. Thanks for keeping to your words,” Sandra said immediately she saw Jane.
She leapt down from the bed and rushed to give Jane a tight hug. Jane received her into her arms and the doctor walked away.
“I am glad you are feeling better today,” Jane said and nudged out of Sandra’s arms. She retrieved some pieces of sandwiches from her hand bag and handed some to her.
“Jane, am I so stupid to have paid that huge sum to the guy?” Sandra asked suddenly.
“No… Not at all. No one would receive such a threat and stay still. Do not worry. We will get him and bring him to book,” Jane responded.
“How?” Sandra asked. “I will investigate it alongside a private investigator…” “No…. No! No! No one should know about this besides you,” Sandra yelled.
“I get you Sandra. But a full fledged investigation is not my expertise. I only investigate to make news… We’d need a professional to bring the perpetrator to book,” Jane explained.”
“Do you not care about me? Me? My feelings? I don’t care if he is brought to book or not. I just want this pain and insanity off my chest,” Sandra lamented.
Jane walked towards her and placed her head on her shoulder. “I know what you mean Sandra but I think making him face justice is one way to make you heal faster. Moreso, I have this feeling that this is not over until he is caught,” Jane muttered.
“What do you mean?” Sandra asked fearfully. She lifted her head off Jane’s shoulder and looked into her eyes squarely.
Jane chose her words carefully. “This is not time for pity party. Whoever did this is not humane. He has your videos. Your sex videos and tapes. Do you think it has ended because you paid him some dollars already? It isn’t over. He will continue to blackmail you with the recordings. Do you not get it?”
Sandra shuddered and coiled away from Jane. She returned to her corner of the bed and hugged herself. Jane made her way to her but she held her hand out to stop her. “Do not come near me,” she muttered.
“You should entrust this to me,” Jane muttered.
******
Jane drove back home early enough before Patrick’s arrival.
She viewed the images Sandra forwarded to her repeatedly. She needed clues. Possibly the location or just something to go by but whoever carried out the act was an expert. There was no single clue in the pictures and the videos.
Before she left the hospital, she was able to get through to Sandra. She convinced her and made her agree to the investigation. She made her promise to contact her if the culprit contacted her again. Such a reckless move by the culprit seems slim but not entirely impossible. He had made Sandra pay 2 million dollars on two different occasions. It was safe to assume that there would be a third attempt.
The transactions could not be traced. Payments were made in cash. Sandra was ordered to drop the cash at a given location chosen by the culprit. In the long run, the location was always a dead end. No cameras, no clues.
Patrick drove into Clinton’s residence. He greeted Mr and Mrs Clinton and went directly to see Jane.
The two had brunch and discussed. “Did you call this meeting because of your father’s biddings to investigate Jeff? I think it’s a good call to clear all doubts. Funny enough he appeared clean… Too clean to be true, but..” Patrick said.
“My father’s biddings are my father’s, we ain’t here for that,” Jane cut in. She brought up her phone and played one of Sandra’s video clips.
“What the heck! Who did this?!” Patrick yelled. “That is why we are here. She is the daughter of one of my father’s associates… I am not sure if I am getting too touchy over the case but the story seemed similar to Lisa’s rape case. I am afraid it might get down to this. It’s not only this, there are pictures too,” Jane said and clicked on the pictures.
“Too bad, this is just too bad. My earnest prayer is that the culprit demands another payment. We’d involve the police right away,” Patrick said.
“Cool, but this can’t go public. You know how the women who fall victim react when things go public. Presently, the lady is being treated at Moore’s psychiatric hospital.”
“Fuck!” Patrick yelled and rose angrily to his feet.
******
Lisa returned home to nurse her wounds. She realized she was wrong all the way. Alex had just confirmed he never had a vasectomy. What if he was indeed responsible for Jane’s pregnancy and his denial was just for a show.
Lisa could not describe her own feelings. She marched around the house lost in thought. She had coped with Alex’s promiscuity until he impregnated Marie. It was one of her strong tenants not to be involved with any man that has children with another woman. She abhorred such.
“What if Alex was indeed responsible for Marie, would I leave as I had proposed? What about all I sacrificed while I awaited his return? What will happen to Jerry and Sammy?” Lisa asked herself and teared up.
She picked up her phone to reach out to Jane but stopped half way. “What if Marie is indeed an impostor?” she asked herself.