The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 30

Kas

The tears fall from his eyes onto the image on the cell phone. She looks ethereal and asbeautiful as the last time he saw her. His Ma. It's physical proof that Agnes Maris has beenkept in the big house. He looks up, the tears still swimming in his eyes. Dor is watching him.Her eyes are red from crying too. Kas's Ma means a lot to her too. He wipes his eyes, wipesthe tears off the image and hands the phone back to her. She has not only managed to tracehis Ma in record time but also managed to get him a recent photo. All in a matter of fewdays. "Do you want to see his grave?". He asks abruptly. Unknown to Dor, the part timeassistant in her bakery is on his payroll to keep a check on Dor and he has received a fullreport on her conversation with Chess. She masks her surprised expression quickly and justnods quietly. He's made sure that Chess's visit to the hospital was fruitful where the nursehe planted" happened" to meet Chess and mention how close Eli and Kas were and howthey spent so much time talking. "I won't be able to go with you but Neil will take you andshow you Kas's grave". She just nods again. Next day, he gets a report on how much timeshe spent at Kas's grave and how much she cried there. "I am so sorry, my darling Dor" hetells the magnificent setting sun outside his window. "I'll make it up to you. I promise".

Kas

They watch the elderly woman in front of them. It's a late sleepy afternoon. The place isdeserted. It has taken a lot of extensive investigation work and a sizeable sum of money tofind this woman. "Aunt May", Kas calls out to her gently. They are at a Home for the Aged inanother city. Her official reports diagnosis her with dementia. She looks up from herknitting. She frowns when she sees Kas not recognizing him as Eli but when she sees Dorbehind him, she smiles instinctively. But then almost instantaneously her expressionchanges, and turns into a frowning face."Who are you"? She asks carefully. Kas kneels down before her and gently takes her hand. "Ineed your help Aunt May. Agnes Maris is in trouble and Kas has sent me.". She stares athim and then looks around furtively. Not seeing anyone around, she looks up at the ceiling.Fortunately, they seem to be in a blind zone where there are no CCTV. "My son Andrew,promise me, you will help him. The mechanic Chess knows where he is." Kas nods his headand tells her solemnly "I promise"."My poor son Andrew was accused of raping one of the maids in a drunken state and putbehind bars. He was one of the chauffeurs in the big house. Ryan Bernard told me that aslong as I live here quietly, my son will be safe or......", her voice trembles as she continuedtearfully, "he will have him killed in prison." Kas and Dor watch her in horror as RyanBernard's never ending dark past keeps unfolding. "Did you know Agnes Maris is in thehouse?" Dor asks her gently. Aunt May nods sadly. "Why does Sierra Bernard permit it?".Aunt May shakes her head in disgust "Because, she is being blackmailed by Ryan Bernard,her husband. "

Kas

He kneels before Aunt May, aghast at how much her life has changed in the last few years.Aunt May, who has always been an important part of his and Kaya's childhood days,babysitting for them, sneaking them treats from the big house kitchen and someone whoMa really trusted. "Aunt May, I will get both Andrew and you out of your prisons", he pointshis finger at the small stark room, "but first, please tell me clearly what has Ryan Bernardbeen doing"?Almost an hour later, Kas and Dor are sitting over lunch in silence, processing theastonishing story. The story of Ryan Bernard, the extraordinary predator who calmly waitsand watches for weaknesses in his prey, an opportunist who hunts down the weak, womenand elderly. "So'', Dor breaks into his thoughts and he looks up to see her removing a smallnotebook from her bag and in a style similar to his, she starts jotting down. "Ryan And SierraBernard have had separate personal lives for several years. Sierra was miserable anddepressed in the big house, having only her son and a truckload of servants for company.Ryan Bernard hires a young driver to seduce his lonely wife and makes sure he has evidenceof her adultery. Ever since then, he has been controlling her with threats of publichumiliation. Can you believe this man"? She puts down her pen with a thump and looks atKas." He nods his head grimly, "We need to get Ma out of that wolf's den first".