After being home for a few weeks with Estelle and Orion I had to go back to work. It was tough on all of us. I hated the thought of leaving them home alone. So I hired some private security and got an all new security system throughout the house with panic buttons in every room. I wasn't taking any chances with my family.
"Cain. I don't think security is necessary." Estelle said eyeing the tall man in an all black suit standing at the bottom of our stairs
"Well I think it is. I just want my family safe. And I've known Nick a long time. We can trust him." I said as I packed my bag for work
"If you say so." she said as she finished her breakfast
"I do say so." I proclaimed
"I'll be back soon." I said before kissing her and Orion's foreheads
"I love you." I said walking out the door
*****
I was at a restaurant downtown trying to figure out the paperwork for my newest catering contract when I got a call from Chief Hunter.
"Cain. How are Estelle and that sweet baby of hers?" He asked as I answered the phone
"Chief. She and our son are good. Both have been checked and cleared by doctors. They are settling back into society nicely. How are you?" I asked as I double checked my paperwork
"That's good. I just was calling to give you guys an update on the investigation. We found the house they kept her in. We took samples from the property. Unfortunately no one was there. Everyone had cleared out. But we found plenty of DNA from others besides Estelle so when we get suspects in custody we have plenty to compare it to." he said sounding disappointed
I growled in frustration as I leaned back in my chair.
That's all they had? It'd been over two months and that's all they had?!
"But with Estelle's help we have narrowed our suspects down. So I'm going to send you some mugshots. If you could ask Estelle to look through them and see if she recognizes anyone we'd be closer to getting them." Chief said
"Yeah I can do that. Thanks Chief." I said curtly before hanging up
I was a little nervous to show Estelle the mugshots, but she had been coming out of her shell more and more since starting therapy. I just didn't want to undermine her progress.
At Estelle's next therapy appointment a few days later I brought up the call with Chief Hunter and the mugshots.
"Do you feel comfortable trying to look at these?" Opal asked Estelle as we sat on the comfy couches in Opals living room
"I can try." Estelle said hesitantly as she scooted to the edge of the couch leaning forward
"Just try your best." I said as I rubbed her back
I pulled up the email on my laptop. Estelle clicked through the first couple of pages. As we got close to the end of the pictures the chief sent I got more and more worried that she wouldn't recognize someone.
On the second to last picture Estelle took in a sharp breath.
"Him and Him." She said pointing at the computer screen with a shaky finger
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called the Chief.
"She recognized two people. Numbers 22465 and 22466." I said holding back my anger
"Thank you. Tell Estelle I'm sorry to put her through that. But we will get them." Chief said before hanging up
"You did great angel." I said as I kissed her temple, I grabbed her shaky hand and rubbed it willing the terror to go away
*****
"Are you sure you want to do this today?" I asked as we pulled in our driveway
"Yes. I want to just get it over with and try to get back to living a normal life." Estelle whispered looking down at her feet
"If you really want to do this today then I will make the call. But you've done so much already today. I want you to pace yourself and rest." I said putting my hand on her thigh
"I'm sure. Go ahead." she said finally meeting my gaze
I picked my phone up out of the car cup holder and dialed her cousin Jessica.
"Cain. How are you?" Jessica asked me when she answered
"I'm good, how are you?" I asked nervously
"I'm doing the best I can. I miss her." She said sadly, I could hear her grabbing tissues out the tissue box in the background
"I know. What if I told you I may have some information on that front?" I asked trying to keep my excitement down
"WHAT? Really? Tell me everything!" she screeched into the phone
"I will, I will." I said chuckling
"But first I need you to do something for me. Deal?" I asked
"Deal!" she said immediately
"I need you to get her parents over to your house so I can tell you all together okay?" I said hoping they'd go over to Jessica's house no questions asked
"I can do that. See you in an hour." she said before hanging up
"Okay angel, plans in motion." I said holding her hand
"I'm ready." Estelle said determined
There's chapter 24!
If you like what you read please consider leaving a comment or a vote! Thanks.
Question of the day: "Do you collect anything?"
My answer: I used to collect snow-globes but grew out of that. Recently I've been collecting bluey things(plush toys really) or cow/cowprint things(bags,phone cases,cups ect.)
I hope you are having a great day/evening/night! <3 <3 <3
YOU ARE READING
Misery & Fate
Romance*COMPLETED 09/24/24* Elle- I was trying to let my past go. To escape and never look back. It's never that easy though... is it? Cain- It all started with a trip to the store, met with a helping hand, grew with a kiss and ends.... **TRIGGER WARNING**...
