Day 4

“Sorry about what happen in the kitchen the other day” Rebecca said late one night out of the blue’s. “I just don’t want the boyz to find out”

“Find out what?” Nancy asked, half of the reason was she didn’t even know what her mother was talking about. She felt like the only thing she’d been doing since her return was ask question. While her mother tried to put the right words together, Nancy looked round her father’s office, remembering how this mahogany wall and floor room used to be strictly off limited to both her and her brothers. The wide double brass wooden table in the middle of the room with the roof-to-floor book case that took the whole back portion of the room.  Nancy and her brothers were sometimes summoned to this room to be given punishments when their crime had been too severe for their mother to handle.  Or when on frequent occasions a note had been left on the desk informing the family about Dads quickly deported on his numerous business trips.  But before Nancy had left, at least 3 weeks prior, Nancy remembered her Mom and Dad having the biggest row ever about her Father’s business trips since then Nancy never saw or heard Dad go on a business trip again.

“That’s the reasons I called you back” Rebecca said, Nancy attention snapped to her mother as she remember the call she received from her mother about one or two weeks ago.  Rebecca was in tears when she called Nancy in New York informing her about a terrible dilemma that had befallen on the family, that she had to return to San Antonio in all heist, Nancy remembered not wanting to leave at the time for she had just started her internship with the FBI, but decided 2 days later to board the fastest plane headed to San Antonio. Nancy didn’t really, fully come back because she missed home, which I do!  Nancy reminded herself firmly.  But because she felt she owed it to her mother to help solve this mystery, if it wasn’t for that Nancy might not be back for at least 10 if not even 15 years!?!  But I’m not Nancy thought firmly, I’m back and I’m not leaving …not ever!!! Nancy inwardly yelled at the pang of guilt that gripped her. Nancy then realized that her mother was looking at her, waiting for a reply of some sort.

“Because of father?” Nancy said confused.

“Yes” Rebecca answered meekly

“But….I thought the boys said he was on a business trip?” Nancy tried to make sense of the matter.

“No……I told them that but the truth is…your father’s gone missing…” Rebecca trailed off.  “His never coming home…”

Nancy did a sneer sort of laugh, completely not believing her mother “Dads missing?  He can’t be…missing, please tell me your joking and that his not missing?!” Fear started to grip Nancy’s chest, completely replacing the guilt that had been there.

“I wish I were, but it’s true” Rebecca said.

“S-so why didn’t you call the police” Nancy said heading for her dads office phone.

“That’s where the explanation begins” Rebecca said, grabbing hold of Nancy’s left elbow.

“What explanation” Nancy said a little too loudly as she turned to look at her mother, she sighed to calm herself down then said “I’m sorry, I’m just…”

“I understand, love.  But I’ll have to start the explanation from the bottom.”

“Who starts explaining something from the bottom?”  Nancy couldn’t help herself from interrupting.

Rebecca smiled. “Me. That what makes me so special” Nancy smiled too, and then let Rebecca begin her bottom to top explanation. That’s mama for you Nancy though, she’s the only one that’ll teach nursery students about 2 before saying 1 + 1.

“So” Rebecca started “I started watching some old detective movies and discovered that when there’s a crime, there’s always 3 suspects” Nancy wanted to put in that in real life there where only one or two suspects and that the real criminal would make sure not to be among them, but decided against it. “And I think I’ve come up with the 3 in this case.

“Suspect no. 1 Mr. Shellevaski”

“Who?” Nancy asked, surprised anyone would want to own that name.

“Mr. Shellevaski, a Norwegian man whose company is merging with Derrick’s.  And if Derrick is not found by next week, Mr. Shellevaski has every right to fully own D.P Plc.”

“So he has the perfect motive for kidnapping Dad” Nancy resolved.  “What about suspect number 2?”

“Well, she’s-“

“SHE?!” Nancy asked. “How can a she be involved?

“Humph” Rebecca mumbled, growing weary of Nancy’s constant interruptions “Is asking question a side-effect of studying Psychology and criminology?”

With a sheepish smile Nancy apologized and let her mother continue.

“Suspect no. 2 is Miss Izabell, a woman of 48. Is a hairdresser and owns The Pretty Pink Saloon on Main Street, she’s five-foot-four and has raven black hair and her saloon opens every day except on Sundays, of course.

Nancy paused and looked at her mother. “Don’t you know a little too much ‘bout this woman? Is she your friend?”

“No” Rebecca said gloomily, a bit too gloomily if you ask me Nancy thought. “Let’s just say I know her through someone else who knew her….who knew her a lot” she finished.

“I understand, but what does she have to do with Dad’s disappearance, and I still don’t understand why you don’t want to involve the police?!”

“And here I thought you were the psychology expert” Rebecca said “If the police gets involve and Mr. Shellevaski is the culprit, he’d make sure your father’s never found.  And if he isn’t, he’d hurry up to claim ownership over D.P Plc. before Derrick is found”

“Of course, but what about this Miss Izabell?”

“Well-erm…let’s just say through some crazy mix-up Izabell has gotten access through to one of Derrick’s bank account.  Derrick’s fought tooth and nail to fix it but the bank refuses to listen or let Derrick withdraw all his money” Rebecca said, stopping to take a breath, if it wasn’t for the fact that things like that happen often in San Antonio, Nancy would not believe a word her mother said. “So Derrick made a deal with Izabell that she can withdraw any amount she’d like from her side of the account, but would have to confirm with him first for reasons I can’t phantom”

“So...” Nancy began to conclude “If Miss Izabell has anything to do with the kidnapping or finds out, if we report to me police, she’d hurry up and suck the bank account dry…does dad have a lot of money in it?”

“A little much, give about …. 2 or 3 million dollars” Rebecca said calming, as if she’d mention the amount without 6 zero’s behind it. “I can’t guess why she hasn’t withdrawn all the money left by now.”

“Cause she might know Dad will hunt her down like a dog if she does” Nancy said, finally happy she’d answered a question for once.  It was then that Nancy realized that she hadn’t bathe or changed her outfit since the previous day and that Phebie will be here soon.

“Maybe” Rebecca said agreed softly, Nancy felt guilty that she wouldn’t stop and inquire about her mom’s mood, but she had to get ready before Phebs showed up.

“Later mom” Nancy said, heading for the door “Phebie’s coming over and I have to get ready.

“Which reminds me” Rebecca said as Nancy turned the doorknob.  “Phebie’s fiancé works for Mr. Shellevaski.”

Nancy felt as if thunder struck the door and she’d missed it by inches. “WHAT!!!???” Nancy yelled, she was both excited and piss….excited that her friend has a fiancée and that she’s getting married…but also pissed that Phebie hadn’t told her about it. And she said she only dated two guys in her absence….. Maybe she choose someone else as her maid-of-honor, instead of me like we promised each other and now she’s too ashamed to tell me!

“She didn’t tell you?” Rebecca asked. Nancy could only nod as sadness made her throat too dry for speech “Maybe she will, I was only informed about it 2 days ago” she reassured her daughter, walking over and giving her a hug.

Nancy tried to push the pain out of her system and said “What about suspect number 3?”

“Ow, I don’t know yet” Rebecca said, looking down at her daughter in her arms, confusion sparkling in Nancy eyes “I just felt composed to say 3 suspects, but I’ll let you know when I figure the third one out.”

Nancy just laughed and stayed in her mom worm embrace for a few more moments before she broke the hug.

“It’s just all too much to take in” Nancy sniffed.

“What’s too much to take in?” Phebie asked from the doorway. Both Rebecca and Nancy froze at Phebie’s voice.

“Sorry to startle you” Phebs apologized “But Will told me he thought you two were in the study when I met him on his way out.”

Nancy surveyed Phebie from head to toe before, deciding to tell her about her father’s disappearance. I would’ve even without the fiancée news.  And just because she’s keeping secrets from me doesn’t necessarily mean I should do the same!? Maybe if I even tell her about this, she’ll tell ‘bout her fiancée!  So Nancy related everything of what her mother told her, except only talking about Miss Izabell first then lastly bringing up Mr. Shellevaski. Nancy only barely saw Phebie stiffen at the mention of his name.

“Do you know anything about him…or related to him? “Nancy added once she’d finished.

“No” Phebie fell silent and paused a moment “Nope, nothing I can think of that’ll be useful.”

“Maybe it will” Nancy prompted.

“Trust me….it won’t…” Phebie said, definitely closing the chapter of the subject, for now! Nancy thought. “What about you Mrs. Parker?” Phebie politely asked Rebecca “Don’t you have any more information about this….Mr. Shellevaski?”

Nancy sighed and looked into Phebie’s eye’s which she knew all too well will be the colour of dark sea-blue.

“Apparently” Rebecca answered, looking at Phebie from the corner of her eye.