Abducted

CHAPTER 30

Still in shock over the news of Dr. Rousseau, Marina dialled her mother's cell to relate the sad news.
Catarina had already seen the News. Sniffling softly on the other end, she expressed utter sorrow on his passing. "He was a true gentleman." she said tearfully.

Disconnecting the call, she dialled Sara's phone next.
No response from that line.
She is probably still asleep, Marina thought.
Wishing to enquire if everything was okay at the mansion, Marina dialled the land line.

Surprisingly Isabella answered upon the first ring. Seems like she was expecting a call, Marina had told herself..
"Good morning", was the weary greeting.
"Good morning Isabella, how are you and everyone?"
Responding hesitantly, Isabella offered "As fine as can be!"

Marina continued "Have you all heard the news of Dr. Rousseau?"
There was a distinct pause, then:
"What News?"
"Apparently, he was involved in a car......"
Before Marina could have finished Isabella gushed
"Is he dead?"
"Yes, he is Isabella."
Isabella began to sob over the phone.  "He was such a nice friend and doctor! How could this have happened? Did they say what caused it?"

Trying her utmost to comfort the distraught Isabella over the phone, Marina promised her that she would stop in briefly that evening.

As soon as the call was ended, Isabella twirled around, laughing loudly.
"It's all working out the way we want. Very soon, it will be all over." Isabella declared to herself.
Priding herself for her intelligence, at remembering to confiscate the doctor's cell phone, while he was in the shower, at the hotel, she again laughed loudly.

Isabella was so engrossed in her thoughts, that she did not see Tara, hovering by the door, which stood ajar.
Alarmed at what she had overheard in the telephone discussion, and confused over Isabella's elated reaction, Tara knocked tentatively to announce her presence.

With a slight nod and a mumbled
"Good morning". to Isabella, Tara carefully placed the laden tray on the brass breakfast table and hustled out of the door.
Thoughts of all that she had eavesdropped, at the surface of her mind.

Back at the scene of the accident, Lieutenant Cassio stood, his jacket collar up, bracing himself against the chill.
In a stooping position, he examined the the victim.
Lacerations covered his hands.
It appeared to the officer that the doctor had used his hands, to defend himself against the impact.
Moving closer, he examined every inch of the victim with probing eyes. Noticing something on his jacket, the Lieutenant summoned one of his juniors.
"Gloves and bag please!" he ordered.

Retrieving a tweezer from his official kit, he set to work to remove what he had seen.
Holding the clear plastic bag up to the sunlight, he studied it carefully.
Turning to the officer at his side he
said gruffly "Get this to forensics immediately!"

Not understanding why this accident, bothered him so much,The lieutenant had stood there,  staring at the body, for just a few more seconds.
He knew Dr. Rousseau well, but was trying to understand where he was coming from, at that hour the night before

Dr. Rousseau was never known to be a heavy drinker, yet he reeked of alcohol and another scent, which Lieutenant Cassio's brain failed to analyse at that point.

Turning, he signalled to the Coroner, to take over.
Walking to his vehicle, he thought about the strands of hair which he had gotten from the victim's jacket.

It was not the doctor's, nor the colour of his wife's hair.
Where was he last night?
Whose hair is it?
The lieutenant pondered as he drove away from the scene.