More Than A Maid

Bella’s POV

“What’s today’s date dear? ” My mom asked me while she strained her eyes to look at the calendar.

“It’s monday” I answered her.

“Oh, Flora will be here on Monday, next week Monday. She promised not to change the date this time around”

My mom said.

“What a relief.” I responded.

“Okay so, how far have you gone with the investigation?” I asked, I was done eating after all.

“Pretty much far, at least we have made some findings” My mom said.

“Something new? What is it?”

“I have come to figure out that your father used to work somewhere at Cenway?” My mom resumed.

“Oh really. We only knew it was very far from home, I never knew it was as far as Cenway” I remarked.

“You father was a secretive but lovey man. I wouldn’t have hid this away from us, if only he had known that he would die soon” My mom mumbled.

“He wanted to surprise us remember? Let’s not blame him. He is the best Dad in the whole world” I said and my mom smiled a bit.

“He might know Mrs Benson or her husband. The Benson in general” My mom added.

“Why did you say that? Because he worked at Cenway?” I asked, I was surprised when she nodded in affirmation.

“During the investigation, we were able to trace down the company.” She paused for a while; “The man whom Flora had hired to assist me happens to a retired police officer..”

“Ohh. There’s indeed alot for me to know. You didn’t tell me all this while we spoke over the phone” I said then paid total attention to what she was saying.

“Since he was a retired police officer, he showed them his ID card and interrogated all the workers at the company” My mom said.

“Did you find the killer among them?” I was curious.

“No” She shook her head.

“Oops! The stuffs there must have felt like they were being accused wrongly”

“Well, we didn’t accuse anyone. They were only being interrogated. Once they’re are innocent, the innocence will make them free” My mom stated. Oh, right.

“So the culprit is not among them”

“Looks like Flora was wrong about Dad being killed.”

“Hmmn”

“See, you stated the investigation and got nothing. They are innocence and the reason why they couldn’t extend their sympathy is probably because they do not know us. You said it yourself, Dad is secretive, maybe his colleagues; I mean former colleagues didn’t know about us. Maybe Dad didn’t tell them about his family” I rushed all my words.

“Uhm, you might be right. They do not know us. Yes, your father didn’t tell them about his family” She sighed heavily and continued: “Haven been to the company and introduced myself as Mrs Daves, late Mr Daves’s wife. They were surprised and uhm, as well happy to me” My mom said.

She suddenly gasped; “Geez, I never liked the idea of being secretive. I told him!” She began to regret.

“It’s okay mom. I’ll always be open minded.” I promised.

She smiled and touched my cheeks..

“We got an information at the company” She announced.

“Really? What information is that?”

“We were told that four people already left the company. They left around the same month, your father died” My mom said.

“Geez mommy! They must be innocent too. I think everything is just coincidental”

“Well, Flora urged me to get to the root of this case. Which means the investigation must continue until we find nothing or something” My mom insisted.

“Hmmn”

“So what do you suggest? Or what did the retired cop says? That one of the four people who left the company must be the culprit?” I asked. I don’t know why all of a sudden, I think no one killed Dad. Well, I’m just confused. Flora might be right, perhaps, we really need to get to the very root of the case.

“Maybe, one of the four people”

“Does the retired police thinks the four people reigned because they are guilty? No, one of the four people, rather” I corrected myself.

One culprit but four people reigned the same month Dad died.

“They didn’t resign actually. They were transferred to a company, out of the country. Some sort of promotion, like I was told” My mom briefly explained.

“You see! They were promoted by the company. It’s not like resigned, it’s not like one of them is trying to hide after murdering someone. No, no one resigned… which makes them innocent too!” I insisted also.

“Your father was supposed to promoted too” My mom continued.

“What?” I explained.

“That was the big surprise he was keeping away from us” She smiled amidst the pain. I was even speechless to say the least.

“Four people were nominated for the transfer & promotion, your father was among them. But he.. he.. died” Her eyes became teary.

“Obviously, he was killed. He died and someone else was nominated to complete make it four people again” My mom said.

Now this is beginning to make sense..

“What do you think?”

“His replacee murdered him” I muttered..

She nodded in agreement.

“Now, we need to find these four people that were promoted, interrogate them and find the culprit” She concluded. “And if we didn’t find the culprit among them, we might need to give up. I am not gonna get to the root of the case afterall because it might turn out to be in vain” She said.

“Do you wanna give up because I wanted you to stop stressing yourself? I’m sorry, little do I know..” I apologised.

“No dear, that was my plan too. We just need to find these four people and…” She stopped talking.

“And what?” I asked.

“Mr and Mrs Benson once worked at the company” My mom spelled out.

I didn’t believe my ears.

“What??” I exclaimed.

“They are good people, aren’t they?” My mom asked.

I didn’t say anything. I was so shocked to the marrow of my bone. They aren’t bad people as well, I have never noticed any odd attitude since I stayed with them except for Mrs Benson unreasonable attitude and that doesn’t make her a killer. Her husband too, Mr Benson is much more better than his wife.

But.. do not judge a book by the cover.

“I know they are good people but you know, everyone is a suspect” My mom said.

“Uhmn.. the culprit could be among the other two people” I said. I don’t ever wanna think that The Benson killed my father. Nahh!

“They are couple too. Mr and Mrs uhm…” She tried to recall the last name. “Witney!” “Yeah, Witney!”

“Witney?!” I exclaimed. That’s Monica’s lastname.

Oh that’s right! The Benson works with Monica’s parents.

I sighed, in confusion.

“Do you know the Witney?!” My mom asked me.

“Urh.. they are actually ermm, Mrs Benson’s family friend. I’m aware that they are colleagues” I told her.

They aren’t partner in crimes too or are they?

“Mr and Mrs Benson; Mr and Mrs Witney are family friends” She sighed. “Which makes the investigation easier for us”

I was scared..

“And what will you do when the culprit is found?” I asked my mom.

“Uhm Jail? We’ld leave it to the police to take justice” My mom said and yawned.. “Oh dear Bella, I’m feeling sleepy” She stretched her hands tiredly.

“That’s all for now, I’ll keep you updated as usual when the investigation continues” She stood up then I watched her go to her room to sleep.

Oh My God!

I really hope Peter’s parents didn’t do such a cruel thing; I hope it’s not Monica’s parents too.

I would love to avenge my father’s death but what if the culprit turns out to be the parents of the guy I love.

* * * *

To Be Continued