Vitrian Secrets - Onslaught 1

Chapter 10

Sofia scrolled through the contact list on Marcus' mobile phone, searching for Bathe's name. The wind continued to blow hard as they drove, but Marcus didn't reduce his speed.

"Can't you find the number?" Marcus said. "It's saved under his—"

"Found it!" Sofia said. She pressed the call button and made sure the call was connected to the car. The phone rang with no response.

"Maybe Bathe and Luciana are asleep?" Sofia said.

"A moment ago, you believed Bathe was with Celina. Now you think he's home sleeping?"

She shrugged. "It's four in the morning." She tapped the time displayed in the car.

"Bathe is a light sleeper and gets up early to pray. I've known Bathe for decades. I know him too well, even his daily routine. He always picks up his call, no matter the time of the day, and he should be up now, praying—"

"Hello?" Marcus heard from the other end of the phone. He looked at the name displayed on the car dashboard in confusion. "Bathe, is that you? You sound like Alexis."

"Yes, it's me," Bathe said, panting.

Marcus felt confused for some minutes. Bathe's voice sounded like it was Alexis on the phone and it got Marcus confused.

"Why do you sound like Alexis? Are you outside walking?" Marcus said, his tone suddenly abrasive.

Silence followed, and then the call disconnected. Marcus looked at Sofia, and he knew she was thinking the same as him.

"I thought I heard Alexis' voice too," she said. "Recheck the name. Are you sure you called Bathe and not Alexis?"

"Yes, it was Bathe I called." Sofia turned the mobile toward her husband. "Why is he outside in the cold at four in the morning?"

"I don't know." Marcus replied. "It doesn't add up."

"Do you think he might be with Celina? You don't think he would hurt Adrian, do you?"

"Bathe would never hurt Celina!" he replied. "Or Adrian."

"But you've several times not liked the way Bathe looked at Adrian and Alexis."

Marcus fell silent.

"You said Bathe believes he would have treated Celina better if—"

"Sofia." Marcus turned toward her. "Granted, Bathe doesn't like Alexis, but that doesn't make him a killer. I know him; he didn't do this."

"Well, I think you're wrong. Why don't we callBathe again and ask him where he is and where he's been?" She crossed her armsover her chest. "You see so much good in everyone, Marcus. But not everyone isgood."