Chapter 113
HAZEL
PRESENT TIME
I was given clear instructions to head back home and wait for updates from the detectives who are tirelessly searching for my missing daughter, Daisy. This period of waiting is slowly eroding my sanity, as I grapple with the overwhelming uncertainty surrounding my daughter’s well–being. How can I simply remain seated, when I have absolutely no idea about what is happening to my child?
David, who had recently received medical attention for his injured hand, has been a constant presence at my side during this trying time. In addition to the authorities‘ efforts, he has taken it upon himself to make contact with individuals whom he believes might be able to assist us in the quest to find Daisy. He has provided me with some hope by assuring me that if those who have taken Daisy ever entertain the idea of trafficking her, his network of friends will be vigilant and quick to notify him of any developments.
On any typical day, I would have delved into questions about how David had forged connections with individuals familiar with the grim world of trafficking. However, in this critical moment, my singular focus was on locating my daughter, regardless of the source of help.
“Here, David murmured softly, extending a comforting hand to offer me a cup of coffee. I stared vacantly at the liquid in the mug, my mind still entangled in a web of worries. “Hazel?” he encouraged, his voice gentle as he guided the warm mug into my trembling hand.
Fixating on the dark swirls in the coffee, I took a tentative sniff. “Is Ravel here?” I inquired, my voice trembling with urgency. Surely, he should have arrived by now.
David’s head shook somberly. “He hasn’t made it here yet, and there hasn’t been any communication from him.”
Just as his name seemed to conjure his presence, the door burst open, and Ravel rushed in, his eyes scanning the room with frantic desperation before locking onto me. Without hesitation, I rushed into his waiting arms, letting my tears flow freely. “They took her,” I whispered, my words heavy with grief. “Our daughter, they’ve taken her.
David discreetly cleared his throat, momentarily interrupting our emotional reunion. “I’ll inform the detective that you’ve arrived,” he declared before quietly stepping away.
Ravel led me to the sofa, his concerned eyes never leaving me. “Are you okay?” he asked, his gaze sweeping over my form, searching for any signs of harm. “You haven’t been hurt in any way, have you?”
Suppressing my emotions with a tight grip on my lips, I nodded in response. “David was the only one who ended up getting shot. They were furious with him for attempting to drive away.”
David returned to the living room and took a seat on the sofa opposite us. “The detective in charge of the case assured me he’d be here shortly, he informed us. I absently acknowledged his words, my mind preoccupied with worry.
Out of the blue, David posed a question that caught us off guard. “Who did you anger?” he asked, his inquiry aimed directly at Ravel.
Ravel and I exchanged puzzled glances, his eyebrows slowly arching in confusion. “Is that question directed at me?” he responded, his voice tinged with bewilderment.
“Yes, David replied flatly. “Are you going to explain, or should I?”
Ravel turned his attention to me, his brows furrowing in a frown. “What is it that you need to tell me?” he inquired, a sense of unease creeping into his voice. “Is this somehow connected to me?”
I nodded slowly, my gaze fixed on Ravel. I recall his words distinctly, Ravel. He mentioned that you’re an exceptionally stubborn man, and this situation wouldn’t have arisen if you had followed a simple instruction.”
Understanding dawned in his widened eyes as the implication of those words sank in. I regarded him with suspicion. “Do
you have any insight into what he meant by that?”
David interjected with certainty, “He clearly knows something: The way his body reacted says it all.”
Ravel cleared his throat, directing a glare at David. “I honestly have no idea what he meant by that,” he stated firmly. “I haven’t made any risky business decisions recently, nor have I intentionally provoked anyone.”
I interlocked my fingers, growing more insistent. “But he mentioned your name,” I emphasized. It was crucial that we unravel this mystery to find Daisy. “He said, ‘Your husband Southwark is a very stubborn man.‘ I married only one Southwark, and that’s you. There’s no doubt he was referring to you.”
David’s voice dripped with suspicion as he probed further. “Could it be that you’re concealing something from the public, or perhaps from Hazel?” His accusatory tone hung heavily in the air. “Is that why you’re denying any knowledge of what that man was talking about?”
Ravel’s patience wore thin, and he snapped back angrily, “I genuinely do not know what he was referring to! Stop provoking me with baseless accusations.”
“This is about your daughter!” David retorted sharply. “What secret could possibly be more important than ensuring your daughter’s safety?” He abruptly rose from his seat, his frustration boiling over. “Did you have an affair with another man’s wife and incite his anger? Did you forcibly acquire someone else’s company and refuse to return it? What the hell did you do?” His voice quivered with intensity.
“Nothing!” Ravel roared in response, rising to his feet, a readiness to confront David in his eyes. “And you think I’d ever prioritize some insignificant business over our daughter’s safety?”
I couldn’t bear their heated argument any longer and cried out, “Enough!” My voice rang out loudly, putting a halt to their escalating confrontation. “Can you both please stop? I’ve just lost my security man and my daughter, and you both think this is the right moment to argue?”
Exhaling heavily, Ravel returned to my side, embracing me in a comforting hug. “I’m sorry,” he whispered into my ear, his left hand tenderly soothing my hair. “I’m sorry for arguing with that fool, for neglecting your feelings, and for ignoring the larger issue at hand.”
As tears streamed down my face, I pulled away from Ravel and wiped my cheeks, then turned to David. “You mentioned not wanting me to be alone, and Ravel is here now. I think it’s best if you go home and get some rest.”
David scoffed, clearly frustrated. “Are you telling me to leave when all of this could be his fault?”
I met his gaze firmly. “And who are you to pass that judgment?” I questioned. “Are you the lead detective on this case? The kidnapper may be attempting to divert us with that statement. Just because he said it doesn’t make it true.”
David scoffed as he reached for his jacket. “Make sure you share that information with the detective this time, without omitting it. I’m certain they’ll share my concerns.”
Ravel contemplated David’s words for a moment before letting out a sigh. “I understand you want to help find Daisy, but I believe my family can handle things from here.”
“Your family?” David scoffed once more. “This is truly frustrating.” He shifted his attention to me. “I’ll give you a call if I receive any updates from my contacts.” With that, he left my house, the tension lingering in the air.
Ravel turned to me, his concern evident. “Have you eaten anything?” he inquired, and I shook my head in response. “Why don’t you sit down while I prepare something for you?”
Again, I declined his offer. “I’m not hungry, Ravel.”
“That doesn’t mean your body doesn’t need nourishment,” he argued, but before we could further discuss it, we received news that the detectives had arrived. Ravel had to put his plan to feed me on hold so he could hear what they had to say.
I recounted the kidnappers‘ statement about Ravel, and one of the detectives blinked in surprise. “Why didn’t you mention this when you gave your initial statement?”
I stared down at my intertwined fingers, struggling to find an explanation. “My mind was overwhelmed with so many thoughts during the initial statement, and that detail slipped my mind. It only resurfaced recently, and I felt it was important to inform you when you arrived.”
The detective with longer hair turned to Ravel, her expression serious. “Do you have anyone in mind who might have a reason to target you?”
Ravel shook his head with a troubled expression. “I’ve been racking my brain ever since she mentioned it, but I can’t recall anyone who would want to do this to me.”
I interjected, my voice filled with a hint of realization. “What about June?” I asked. “You mentioned you ended things with her recently. Maybe she’s harboring some anger about that.” It struck me suddenly that she might be a key figure in this.
The detective raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. “Who is June?” she inquired.
“Ravel’s ex–girlfriend,” I explained. “He broke up with her not too long ago.”
The detective considered this new information. “Do you believe she’s capable of something like this?”
Ravel shrugged, uncertainty etched on his face. “I honestly can’t say for sure what she’s capable of. I think it would be wise to bring her in for questioning.”
Both detectives nodded as they prepared to leave. “We promise to do everything we can to find your daughter,” the detective assured us.
“I hope you do,” I replied, a tremor of desperation in my voice. Daisy was my only source of sanity in this chaotic world.