"Anything missing, Inspector," Mr. Thompson asked the inspector as soon as they came down the stairs, having checked the rooms repeatedly to be sure they hadn't missed anything.
"Nothing at the moment, Mr. Thompson" Inspector Scott replied as he came to stand in front of them. He smoothed out his uniform and took the seat across from them. With his pen in his hands, he started his questioning.
"With nothing missing, this rules out the possibility of theft. Mrs. Evan, who do you think would kidnap your daughter" Inspector Scott asked Mrs. Evans, who was dabbing at the tears in her eyes and trying to think hard on his questions.
With the notepad and pen in hand, the inspector was waiting for the answers but it seemed none was forthcoming. He decided to help her and give her some clues'' Maybe some friends from school or work colleagues who would wish her bad"
"I___ don't really know. My daughter never really communicated with me. And___'' She paused to sniff and dabbed at her eyes, clearing her throat she continued "She never lived with me. Always visiting occasionally"
"Okay, Mrs. Evans but this isn't really going to help us find your daughter" Inspector Scott told her after penning down the word Mrs. Evans had spoken.
"Do you perhaps know any friends we might contact to seek more information from?" Inspector asked her again while tapping his feet on the floor out of patience. He couldn't wait to get out on the field and begin his operation but the victim's mother was slow. Having the Thompson's on this case means more money and possibly promotion, he must not fuck up.
"I know someone who would want to kidnap her," Vino suddenly said from where he had sat down while trying to control his tears. He couldn't possibly cry in front of a bunch of policemen and women, that would make him weak but inside he was dying. He missed Skylar so much. He could help blaming himself that if only he had followed her here then none of this would have happened. Why did he have to go to the office today? Why was that fucking meeting held today?
"Okay. Please speak, Mr. Thompson" Inspector Scott replied, his attention fully on Vino who cleared his throat and began speaking.
"Elise Fabio. She's the only person who hated Skylar and even kidnapped her once '' Vino replied angrily, he still couldn't wipe that woman's laughter from his mind. And the way she had smiled immediately she heard Skylar was kidnapped really shows she knows something.
"But Mrs. Fabio is in prison right now. And her alibi checked out when I questioned her earlier today" Inspector Scott replied. He had gone over to the prison to question Mrs. Fabio as soon as he got Michael's call. After much threatening and persuasion, he was able to get Mrs. Fabio's confession and had checked her alibi.
"But that doesn't rule out that she might be involved. Maybe an accomplice who works for her. Just like Camille. That woman always has someone doing her dirty job for her. Maybe there's another one. Check again, Inspector"
Inspector Scott opened his mouth to argue but seeing the look on Michael's face, he closed his mouth and accepted his fate "Sure, Mr. Thompson. I'll check out your findings and get back to you"
"That will be great, Inspector. I can't wait for you to find my fiancée, '' Vino replied, forcing a smile on his face before turning to Mrs. Evan's who was pegged on the corner of her reading table crying her eyes out.
"Back to the other matter, a friend or some other person who held a grudge on Miss Evans apart from Mrs. Fabio" Inspector asked again while putting emphasis on Elise as he wouldn't want Vino mentioning her name again.
"Yes, there is, inspector" Vino replied as he took his eyes off Mrs. Evans to talk to the inspector.
"Sure. please tell us, Mr. Thompson" Inspector Scott urged him while jotting down on his notepad. He hoped it wasn't another dead end as he was sure about Elise being one.
"For a friend, you can talk to Paula. She has been Skylar's friend though not for long but I think she is someone Skylar would confide in apart from her mother. No offense Mrs. Evans" Vino apologized but Skylar's mother only nodded as she couldn't speak. Her thought was on her daughter and the last time she was kidnapped.
"As for anyone who held grudges against her, I'll suggest you speak to Cynthia and some of my staffs, they never really liked Skylar especially after she became my girlfriend"
"Thank you for your help, Mr. Thompson. This will be okay to work on now. I'll update you as the case goes. In the meantime, where can we find Mrs. Ernesto?" Inspector Scott replied already on his feet
He smooths out his uniform and replaces his notepad and pen in his pocket before turning to walk out of the room after getting the address from Vino.
"Please find my daughter, Inspector" Mrs. Evans called after the inspector who had stopped to listen to her.
"We'll sure do, " Mrs. Evans' ' Inspector Scott nodded and walked out of the door with his subordinate rushing out after him.
"I can't believe this could happen to Skylar. Why was I so stupid? why couldn't I have provided her protection" Vino sighed heavily as he lamented bitterly.
"Relax, Vino. This isn't your fault. No one could know that was going to repeat itself again" Michael strolled over to comfort his brother. He could possibly understand what he was going through right now having experienced that himself.
"Your brother is right, son. This isn't your fault. Right now, you must be strong for Skylar. I'm sure she would want that. let's go home, sons' ' Mr. Thompson told Vino after patting him on the back, he turned to walk to the door but paused and turned to regard Mrs. Evans who was gazing out into the garden where most of her flowers were grown.
"Mrs. Evans, why don't you come with us? Until we find your daughter's kidnapper, this place isn't safe for you" Mr. Thompson suggested while he waited for Skylar's mom's response.
Mrs. Evans smiled sadly as she took her eyes off her garden to stare at Vinos' father "I'm sorry, Mr. Thompson. I can't leave here. I want to be here in case she comes back. I don't want to lose her again. It hurt knowing I lost her once, if only I was home when she arrived. if only I wasn't at some stupid wedding delivering flowers. If only______" She broke down in a sob while Vino rushed to her side to console her.
"Here." Vino thrust a navy-blue handkerchief at her.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Evans. I know you must hate me right now. I'm going to marry your daughter but I can't even protect her. I'll understand if you don't accept our engagement"
"No, Vino. This isn't your fault. You've always been good to my daughter. Ever since you came into her life, I could see her brighten in love and happiness. I'm glad to know that you both are engaged, I'm sure that's why she was here" Mrs. Evans paused as she cried finally remembering that her daughter was not with her.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Evans" Vino told her again before rushing out of the room to his car. He couldn't risk a second more in the room else he might break down in tears like Skylar's mom.
"Thank you for caring, Mr. Thompson but I'd like to stay here. '' Mrs. Evans replied as she smiled up at Vinos' father before turning to gaze out faraway.
"Suit yourself, Mrs. Evans but here's my contact details in case anything comes up. Have a good night" With that he walked briskly out of the door with Michael following behind him.
"He left again!" Mr. Thompson exclaimed in shock as he stood gazing at the empty spot which had housed Vino's car a while back.
"I just hope he has gone home and not followed on those stupid leads he told inspector Scott. Let's go home, son. Your mother will be so worried" Mr. Thompson told Michael, already getting into the passenger seat before they sped off into the night.
***
"Any news, yet?" Diane rushed to the parking lot as soon as she heard the car. She turned to her husband as soon as he got out of the car.
"Nothing yet, Dear. We are still hoping the police will find news about Skylar soon. Where's Vino?" Mr. Thompson asked his wife before turning to go in after shrugging out his jacket and handing it over to her.
"He's upstairs. He rushed in like a maniac with tears all over his face. He wouldn't respond to any of my questions. He had locked himself in that room of his ever since then" Mrs. Thompson replied with a sad look before handing the jacket over to Maria who carried it upstairs to their room.
"Let him be, the young man has been over a lot in these past few months. I'm surprised he is holding it in nicely" Mr. Thompson told his wife before walking up the stairs.
"I'll be in my study. I don't want any disturbance except its business or inspector Scott" he told his family while going up the stairs to his study but paused as soon as it dawned on him. What if this wasn't any random kidnapping but someone was targeting his family? What if it was some business rival who was angry at his family? He had had his shares of business rivals who will go extra limit to regain their businesses. He had gone through a lot in his first years of building Thompson's Empire. He won't have anyone targeting any member of his family...
"Michael!!!" He shouted to his older son who rushed over to his side. His tone of voice shocked his wife who also rushed to his side.
"What is it, Daniel? Do you remember anything?" Diane asked her husband as she stood beside him on the stair placing her hands on his arm to calm him down.
"Call Victor and have him fly down to New York now. And have Nina and the kids cut off their vacation with her father and return to New York. I can't risk any member of my family getting hurt" Mr. Thompson instructed his older son who rushed out to carry out his instructions.
"Why, Daniel? Do you think this has to do with your business rivals?" Diane asked her husband with shock on her face. She couldn't believe this was happening again. She thought that had ended after they became rich. Which small businesses in their right mind will target New York's richest and influential family.
"I don't know yet but I had to be prepared just in case. I wouldn't want to lose any member of my family" With that Mr. Thompson rushed into the study and slammed the door closed before he rested on it. He couldn't help feeling guilty, if and only if his business rivals were responsible for the kidnapping then he couldn't help but feel pity for Skylar. He felt sad that she had to be the target.
***
"I see you've arrived safely, Nina. How was your flight?" Mr. Thompson greeted his daughter in-law as he descended the stairs.
"It was fine, father. I had to be back as soon as I got Michael's message. Any news about Skylar?" Nina asked her father-in-law as she went over to his side to hug him. Over the years they have put their differences aside and started over again. And she couldn't say she wasn't happy to have him as her father-in-law. He was the best she could ever ask for.
"Well, that's what we are about to find out. Inspector Scott just called, he said there's an update in the case. He's coming over" Mr. Thompson replied as he took his seat beside his wife. He suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Nina about it.
"Where are my grandchildren?" He asked as he looked around to see that everywhere was quiet meaning his grandchildren weren't in the room. Does this mean she left them at her father's?
"No, father" Nina rushed to explain herself as soon as she saw the look on Michael's father's face "The children were tired after the flight so I sent them to bed early. I'm sorry if I had made you worry" Nina apologized with her head bowed while chewing on her bottom lips. She felt bad for getting on her father's in-law's bad side.
"It's okay. I'm sure they needed the rest. Nine-hour journey isn't a joke even though you use the private plane. I can always see them tomorrow. Good job, well done" Mr. Thompson complimented her on her thoughtfulness before the room became quiet and serious again just as they heard the sound of an engine signifying Inspector Scott entrance.
"This better be good news else____" Vino exclaimed bitterly as he walked down the stairs to his seat. He paused to nod at Nina before taking a seat beside Michael.
"Have some faith, son. I'm sure it will be good news, otherwise the inspector wouldn't call to meet us at this goddamn hour" Mrs. Thompson told her son as she reached out to comfort him across the table.
Vino nodded at his mom before turning to stare at the golden clock across from him which held their company name and logo. It was past eleven almost midnight "This better be good news" Vino mustered to himself turning to the door as soon as he heard Maria ushering in the inspector.
"What's the news, inspector?" Vino jumped to his feet as soon as the inspector walked into the room.
"Yes, Mr. Thompson. I dropped by to give you this. I figured out you might want it back. Whoever kidnapped her dropped this" Inspector Scott answers as he thrust a sealed nylon at Vino who collects it with shaky hands.