Abducted

CHAPTER 26

The driver of the rental SUV, had parked just a little way from Marina's house.
His shoulders, which were a bunch of knots after the day's ordeal, slumped in relief.
"It was quite unlikely that anyone saw me." he comforted himself.
Waiting until Marina was safely inside her house, he drove away.

The Private Detective, Mr. Ralston, would be waiting on his twenty thousand dollars.
He had already been advanced five thousand. 
Speeding through the lonely night, past the sleeping restaurants and establishments on the boulevard, he soon arrived at the gate of his temporary residence.
For the next few days, the timing will be critical, he had thought to himself, as he disembarked from the vehicle.

Twenty minutes later, his hand and legs freshly bandaged, his other hand flung freely across the bed, he fell asleep, a smile on his handsome face.

At promptly 7.00 a.m. there was a discreet knock on his door.
Showered and dressed in a pair of blue denim pants and matching long sleeved shirt, he approached the door, minus the cane.
Peering through the peephole, he opened to let the visitor in.

The topics of conversation were the disappearance of Baby Serena, four years before.
The results which stated in no uncertain terms, that Marina had been unfaithful to Geraldo and the car crash which had taken Geraldo's life.
Listening intently, the unknown person interrupted to mention, what he had seen at the hotel the night before.
That disclosure caused the hand which held the pen, to suspend in mid air.
Private Detective, Mr. Ralston, became pensive.
Resuming his writing he made a note to investigate Isabella's history.

The stranger removed a thick wad of bills, from a drawer in his desk.
Placing it on the file in front of Detective Ralston, he got up and walked to the refrigerator.
Retrieving a mug of orange juice and three glasses, he returned.
Laying the items on the table, he resumed his position on the chair.

Detective Ralston was busy counting the new bills.
Looking like the cat who had just caught a mouse.

"So tell more about your progress."
The stranger said enthusiastically.
Not puzzled at all by the gentleman's eager reactions, for it was perfectly understandable, the detective began to give an overview of his findings.

Nodding eagerly at each revelation, he emphasized the importance of catching the persons who had stolen baby Serena
Detective Ralston had received information, which had led him to an adoption agency in the South of France.
Thousands of miles away from where she had been abducted.
"They will get what that deserve!"
The stranger blurted as he pounded his fist on the table, causing the contents in the glasses to dance.

Detective Ralston prides himself at being the best in the city.
The other occupant at the table trusted him impeccably although he wondered why the detective did not recognise that it was Marina, who came to his office, in disguise, a few weeks before.
Chuckling briefly, he decided not to disclose that one to Mr. Ralston just yet.

Shaking his mind in disgust at what the detective had so far revealed, he swore to keep a closer eye on Marina, for her own safety.
Absentmindedly, he played with his wedding band. The gold on both the ring and the Santos De Cartier watch, caught the morning's rays, which were streaming through the open window.

Another knock on the door.
Before anyone could answer, in walked Lieutenant Cassio.
A thick file clutched tightly under his left arm.
Looking around, he greeted the other men with a broad smile.
Rushing to the corner, he held his friend in a bear hug, careful not touch his injured parts.
Overcome with emotions, they both held on to each other, because this was the first time, Geraldo Hartland had seen his best friend, since his fateful accident.