UNRAVELLING SOME SECRETS

"We understand, and, to save time, since we got here a bit early, we compiled all the information me and detective Grego each had. Here are all the records of what we gathered." My detective, Paul, speaks, handing us an envelope as he continues. "You can go through those later together, but just as a summary, we have substantiated the identity of the man who provoked the acrimony between Gracia and your mom, Ellie. It's Mr. Riccaford, your father, and his photos from way back in college are in the envelope."


"We have also corroborated that the three of them were never seen together after college up until your tenth birthday. That's when Gracia showed up in their lives, and since then she has been subsequently seen hanging around your parent's events and gatherings. Once in a while, she could approach your father in your mother's absence. Her motive still remains unclear, especially why she only talked to Mr. Riccaford and never to your mother." Detective Paul says:.

I see!

"So, is it possible that they had an affair behind my mother's back?" I ask.


"We can't say that for sure. All of their conversations didn't last long. But there is something else more suspicious about the two of them."

"What?" I curiously ask:.


"We have managed to extract Gracia's bank statement for the last two decades, and it shows that Mr. Riccaford used to deposit a constant amount of money in her account until a year ago. All the details of that are also in that envelope."

Shoot me! What? A year? The same time he took her and Nelly in?

"But why?" I ask.

"That, we don't know yet. But we are trying to figure that out." Drew explains.

My God! This story is more complicated, but at least we are getting somewhere. Secrets are beginning to unfold. We are on the right track. We just need to find out the reason behind those transactions. The only reason why Papa would have been sending money to that witch was either to silence her—but about what? Or maybe...

"Drew? Before anything, we need you to try and locate these two people asap. Gracia kidnapped them to blackmail us." Damian hands Drew a photo of Rose and Sherry, and I hope, with all of my heart, he finds them soon.

"Okay, Mr. Almenda. I'll start the search for them immediately." Drew says.

"Find them asap, Drew, because we can't do anything against Gracia as long as they are in her custody." I state.

"I promise to do my best, Mrs. Almenda. We will find them soon." Drew assures me.

"Uuh, Attorney? Study everything and be ready in case of anything." I state.

"Sure, I will." The attorney responds.

"Alright. We will get back to work, Mr. and Mrs. Almenda. We will keep you updated in case of any developments." Drew says this and turns to me. "Mrs. Almenda, Paul mentioned that you want your mother's death re-iinvestigated. Your private detective can do that, but I can't do anything about it at the moment since it's against the law. Once he finds something, I'll be more than happy to help. I hope you understand."

"Actually, I have changed my mind about that." I state, earning a gaze from everyone.

"Why, love?" Damian asks.

"Do you think you were wrong all along? That it was just an accident?" Paul asks.

"No, Paul, because now more than ever, I am convinced it wasn't. I want to lessen your work and speed up things." I say.

"What do you have in mind?" Paul speaks.

"I want you to find a connection between my mother's death, our family attorney's, and nanny Sonnia's. We all know who the murderer is. We need to get to the bottom of this soon." I explain.

"Brilliant idea. Then, when we can find the reason behind the transactions, we will have all the rights to apprehend her." Paul says.

"But for that, she will have to be interrogated. Will she agree to confess?" Damian queries.

I'm still thinking... My father was never involved in illegal businesses. So, bribing someone for that long is definitely not about businesses or some sort of crime. Unless there is a possibility that...

"Nelly!"

"Nelly?" I can't count how many voices exclaimed together, but Damian's was dominant in them.

"Yes. What if she is... What if she is my father's bastard child and the reason behind all those transactions was for her upkeep?" I spit it out.

That shocked everyone, and I? I am bewildered by my own words. If there is anything I would wish not to be true in this world, it's that disgusting possibility.

"Listen, we are just ruling out possibilities one by one. We will do a DNA test and see what comes out." I rant, looking at no one in particular.

That would be the joke and shame of the century. May the heavens forbid, but what if...

"Will you be okay with that, love?" I look at Damian as he caresses my hand.

He might have sensed my tension. Jeez! No! I hope I am damn wrong!

"It's just a crazy idea. It doesn't have to be true, right? I'm just thinking of ways to end this asap! If it turns out negative, then great! Perfect! We look for another way to solve this." I rant again, and I take a big sip of water to cool my nerves.

But what if?

I take another sip of water and a few deep breaths. I can handle anything! Yes, I can. Damn! This would be such a blow!

"First, how do we convince Nelly to undergo the DNA? And still, that will not be proof enough to arrest her mother. Having a child out of wedlock isn't a crime. We will still need enough proof linking her to the murders—a witness or her confession." Drew explains.

"I will personally bring you Nelly's sample, Attorney. As for Gracia, I will get her to talk too."

Now I sound like a sick person—a really mad one that even my husband is dumbfounded by. That's what their gazes at me say, but I am dead serious. By hook or crook, I will get this done and over with!