Detective her age, she liked him somehow. «Someone from past appeared, want find mysterious stranger.» «Sent my son plush bear.»
«The one lost in Alex’s childhood.» «Want know who and why.» «How sent? Mail.»
«Surely sender address,» Nicholas Parker gave obvious version. «No, no data there,» Veronica Davis smiled. «Listen, Nicholas, time precious in such matters.»
«Let’s not waste.» «Excellent.» «Note, I dig deep,» he reminded.
«If secrets revealed, don’t offend.» «Told me everything?» «Well, basically yes,» woman nodded uncertainly. «Pity start cooperation with omissions,» detective sighed.
«Just say, take or not?» She no longer held irritation. «Okay, start investigation,» Nicholas Parker nodded. «Give address where lived when bear lost.»
«Why that?» Veronica Davis bulged eyes. «Think past people search there, right?» detective smirked. «Or think mail path?» «Decide yourself, you’re professional.»
She paid basic contract, week investigation. True, detective not especially inspired. He understood well — withholding clients bring problems.
But didn’t want refuse this woman. Next day detective started work. He knew his job, expected quick resolution.
But complications arose. First, Nicholas Parker went old client address. House long occupied by others.
Part apartment turned hostel or non-residential. Had to go management company. Luckily, detective had connections.
Got several former residents’ addresses. Then drive across Chicago. But no luck there.
Only girl who opened was granddaughter one former neighbor, said grandma now in nursing home. Nicholas Parker sighed, thought advance not last with such travels. But gathered and went to facility.
There lived Alberta Williams, elderly woman he needed. Luckily, visiting hours at Willow Tree not over, resident chatty lady. «Wow, first time see live private detective!» Alberta Williams admired, coquettishly fixing gray hair.
«Husband on procedures, or he’d chat too.» «Understand, collecting info about thirty years old,» Nicholas Parker sighed. «You lived with Veronica Davis family, son and husband.»
«That’s who I want talk about.» «Was such,» grandma noted cautiously. «But Veronica never had kids.»
«I worked maternity whole life.» «Would notice pregnancy.» «But she has son, Alex,» Nicholas Parker reminded, suspecting grandma’s memory off.
«Oh, dear, you misunderstood,» Alberta Williams sighed. «Boy was, remember well.» «But why think he’s Veronica’s son?» «She said so,» detective stared hastily.
«Isn’t it?» «Well, depends how look,» woman shrugged. «Veronica husband lived childless years.» «He promising, handsome man.»
«Good degree business, wife worked.» «But not adapted to household.» «Maid appeared.»
«Then just called helper.» «Wait, wait, know nothing this,» Nicholas Parker said. «What her name, helper?» «Elena, I think,» Alberta Williams recalled.
«So took her run house.» «Veronica’s mom ill then.» «She all travels.»
Happened one absence, husband Gerald affair with Elena. Not just, with continuation. Girl got pregnant.
But not sent away. Lived with owners. «How?» detective bulged eyes.
«And Veronica did nothing?» «Didn’t try,» Alberta Williams smirked. «But when maid gave birth, first walked, pushed stroller.» «Know how kids play dolls.»
«So they lived.» «Elena with son, Veronica her husband.» Then helper disappeared.
Boy one-two years. Don’t know what happened. Only Alex started call Veronica mom.
Year later they moved. «So adopted child?» Nicholas Parker amazed. «Well, don’t know.»
«Maybe took.» «Rich,» elderly woman sighed. «Rumored maid not left herself, accused something.»
Exchanged son for freedom. Was girl able argue influential family? «Remember more this Elena?» Nicholas Parker asked. «Where from?» «Migrant, from countryside.»
«Forgive, tired.» «Remember no more.» Alberta Williams complained. «Thanks.»
«You helped lot,» detective smiled. «Filled gaps my knowledge.» «What else here?» grandma sighed.
«Only fill gaps.» «Kids pay facility, we wait end.» «Don’t bother eyes.»
Detective left puzzled. Reason client’s omissions clear. Seems got son not quite legally, now fears exposure.
But Nicholas Parker couldn’t back down. Planned get to truth. Detective went postal service.
Private company, but connections there too. True, learned little. Only, package fishy.
Documents from abroad, but no customs. Packaged not international. Meanwhile Christina finally reached husband.
Alex’s phone on briefly. She dialed immediately. «Alex, hi.»
«What package sent me pick?» she shouted into phone. «Regular shipment, what?» Alex replied listlessly. «You calling like crazy.»
«Alex, package had old plush bear, brown, one faded ear,» Christina outraged. «What fooling?» «Home, sort,» husband outraged. «Maybe took wrong?»
«Yeah, now I’m guilty.» Christina didn’t hold emotions. «Never pick anything for you again.»
«Stop hysteric?» spouse snapped. «Okay, bye, no time.» «As always.»
She cried into phone tears. But only beeps. Then they cut…
Обсуждение закрыто.