Once In A Lifetime

Chapter 32: The House

"A HOUSE is made of bricks and beams. A HOME is made of LOVE and DREAMS."

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Crispin was driving his car with Mr. Aragon to where the investigator left his car. As they travel back to the main highway, Mr. Aragon thoughts were wandering back to that house. He remembered how tense Crispin was as he went back inside the house to get the car keys and the glass of water he requested from him. It was also in this interval, while waiting for the caretaker to reappear, that he heard somebody upstairs. When he asked Crispin about it, the guy just say, maybe one of my nieces talking in sleep again. And hurriedly walked fast towards the garage as he watched him pull the car away to where he was standing for a ride and off they went into the driveway in complete silence.

It was almost eight in the evening when Mr. Aragon reached the city and decided to drop by his office. Inside, he saw Carlo searching through some documents from the filing cabinet while at the same time, having his diner.

"Hi, Fred, you look terrible. What happened?"

"Good that you're here." He tapped him on the shoulder and sat infront of him as he related to him what he had experienced back in the woods.

"I guess Denise is in that house."

"Great! Let's go and get her." Abruptly, he shut the drawer, took his jacket and headed towards the front door.

"Hey, hey, wait." He grabbed his arms and said, "I need to check on something first. Remember the file I gave you few days ago?"

"How about considering this first." He gave him some food to eat. "You look famished."

"I'll eat that later, give me the file first." He demanded.

"Okay, what case folder?" He placed the food back on the table and scanned through his files.

"Santos marked confidential."

Carlo rummaged through his drawers and then exclaimed,

"Bingo!" He pulled the file from his drawer and laid it on the table.

Mr. Aragon took out some pictures, study them carefully and said,

"That's him...although he's quite younger here in the picture, but I'm sure, he's the same guy I met this evening." He was referring to Crispin.

"How sure are you that he has the girl?"

"I heard her voice upstairs calling his name and a woman's name. I'm sure it's Denise' voice. She knows those people."

"Meaning, Denise is not missing. She is probably in her own place."

"That's what we need to know. Please check who owns that house."

"How about asking Pastor Romano about it?"

"I'm sure, he doesn't know about that house. He's been in US for many years. The house looks new and... mysterious to me."

"Mysterious? You mean, a hunted house?" He asked seriously.

"No, no." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Let's just find out who's the owner of the house, okay?" He paused looking at the food. He felt his own stomach grumbling and ate the food offered to him a while ago.

The two men delved into many records and directories that night trying to discover house' owner. They also contacted several individuals over the phone that might offer information regarding the house.

Then finally, they learned that the house was one of the properties of the Santoses. How come Father Luis never mentioned this to anyone? If Denise was indeed in the house, why the caretaker seemed not to recognize her when the picture was shown to him? If he's not telling the truth, what's the motive behind those lies?

With so many questions, Mr. Aragon decided to call Pastor Romano for an appointment that evening. When the minister agreed, they went straight to his office and received a cordial welcome by his secretary. They waited for a while until the last visitor left the minister's office.

Pastor Romano was happy to hear the possibility of Denise being alive. Whoever brought her in that house did not matter to him anymore, so long as his daughter is safe and in good hands.

Father Luis was also contacted. He was informed about the incident. He, too, was surprised to hear about the house. He was certain that there is no such house owned by his parents. With that, Mr. Aragon decided to go back in that area to place the house under surveillance.

"I'm coming with you."

"You can stay here Pastor. I can promise to bring Denise safe to you. But I cannot promise to bring her home to you."

"I know. Just bring her home to whoever she wants to be with."

"I can promise that. But now, we will be needing your prayers more than ever."

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Once in a Lifetime has reached rank #4 for the past days.

I would like to thank you over and over again for this.

Now, April 22, 2017, it goes down to rank#7. It does not matter to me, so long as you enjoy reading my works.

Your comments are appreciated
Consider also my other work entitled IN YOUR HANDS.