The Investigator

Answers

Jason arrived right on 8 to pick Ellie up for their road trip. She answered the door to find him with coffee's and pastries.

"Ready to go?" He smiled.

"Ready as I'll ever be" she laughed nervously. She had spent so long wanting to find her father, that the possibility of finally meeting him was a little scary.

The drive took almost three hours, and Ellie chatted to Jason the whole way, trying to keep her mind off what was about to happen. She loved talking with him and enjoyed his sense of humour. They pulled up outside a small cottage on the edge of town. It was old, but tidy and well kept.

"This is it" Jason told her as he shut off the engine. Ellie took a deep breath to try and calm herself. "Don't be nervous Ellie. This is what you've been waiting for" he smiled.

"I can't help it. I've spent so long imagining what this moment would be like... but..."

"But what?"

"What if he doesn't like me? What if he wants nothing to do with me?"

"I don't think anyone could not like you Ellie, you're very likeable" he smiled charmingly. "And if he doesn't want anything to do with you then that is his loss" he reassured her as he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Thanks Jason... okay let's do this" she said as she climbed out of the truck.

They approached the door and Jason knocked hard. A few moments later the door slowly swung open and a lady, likely in her sixties appeared. "Can I help you?" She asked, looking from Ellie to Jason.

"Sorry to bother you Ma'am, we were hoping you might be able to help us. We're looking for Arthur Griffin" Jason told her. Immediately the woman looked a little on edge, and it didn't go unnoticed.

"I'm sorry, you won't find an Arthur Griffin here" she said as she began to close the door. Jason put his foot out, stopping the door from shutting, he knew the woman was lying, likely to protect him.

"This was his last known address. How long have you lived here?"

"Fifteen years" she told him. "I assure you, there is no Arthur here" she repeated politely but sternly.

"Perhaps you know him as John Cartwright?" Jason suggested. The woman's eyes widened, she definitely knew him.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Jason Crouse, I'm an investigator. This is Elizabeth Sullivan, my client... and John Cartwright's daughter". The woman looked from Jason to Ellie, her eyes narrowing a little as she studied her.

"You better come in" she said softly as she swung the door fully open, closing it behind them once they had entered. "Can I get you something? Coffee or tea?"

"Coffee would be great, thank you" Jason smiled politely.

"And you Elizabeth?"

"Coffee too please" she smiled shyly.

"I'm Margaret by the way" she told them as she made their drinks. "Everyone calls me Maggie".

"Pleasure to meet you Maggie" Jason told her. "So I'm assuming you know John Cartwright? Do you happen to know where we can find him? Ellie has been searching for her father for a long time".

"Yes, I know John, or Arthur as he went by.... but I'm afraid he's no longer here" Maggie said.

"Oh... he moved away? Do you happen to have a new address?" Ellie asked hopefully.

"I'm sorry Sweetie, what I meant was... John passed away" Maggie told her. Ellie felt like the wind had been knocked out of her at those words. Her head was spinning at a million miles an hour. She had searched for so long and come all this way only to find her father was gone. She couldn't stop the tears that welled up in her eyes and slipped down her cheeks.

Jason moved closer and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. "When did he pass?" Jason asked.

"Five months ago" she said. "He is buried in the local cemetery under the name Arthur Griffin. I can tell you exactly where if you would like to go and see for yourself".

"Thank you Maggie" Jason smiled. "Did he ever say anything to you about having a daughter?"

"He did. I knew about Elizabeth. He told me that leaving you was his biggest regret, but you have to understand... He did what he thought was best for you. He left to keep you safe" Maggie explained. She got up and walked over to the bookcase, retrieving a small envelope from a wooden box. "He always hoped you would find him, when he got sick I think he began to give up hope of seeing you again. He left this for you in case you were to ever come by" she said as she handed the envelope to Ellie.

"Why didn't he come find me?" Ellie asked.

"I think he was afraid that you would resent him for abandoning you".

"So he didn't even bother to try?" Ellie said, a hint of anger and dissapointment in her voice.

"I'm sorry Sweetie. I tried to tell him. But he was determined that it needed to be on your terms. Maybe when you read the letter you might understand" Maggie offered.

"Thank you for your time Maggie" Jason said as he finished up his coffee. "If there is anything else you think Ellie should know, give me a call" he said as he handed her a card with his number on it.

"I will" she smiled. "I'm sorry that this wasn't the meeting you had hoped for Elizabeth. If you want to visit him, he's buried in the third row from the big old oak tree, the seventh headstone down".

"Thank you Maggie. I suppose an answer you don't like is better than none at all" Ellie smiled weakly as she walked to the door with Jason.

"Take care of yourself" Maggie smiled.

"You too".

Ellie climbed back in to Jason's truck and let out a heavy sigh. "You okay?" He asked.

"No" she whispered as tears began to fall from her eyes again.

"I'm sorry Ellie" he whispered as he pulled her in to his arms. "I'm so sorry".