Echo Ridge Manor

Chapter 5 Charley

Guilt gnaws at my gut for leaving Hannah behind. I would much rather stay with her. But as much as the idea appeals to me, I need to find out what happened to her parents. The sooner I close this case, the sooner I can keep her.

The idea makes me smile. She belongs with me, where I can keep her safe; and where she will be loved.

As odd as it sounds, I've never given much thought to having a family of my own. I grew up with a mom and a dad, an older brother and a younger sister. We were happy. But I've never had a desire to have someone of my own... until now.

A crazy and impulsive thought hits me. As soon as we get this case closed I'm going to marry her. As surprised as I am by this, my heart explodes with joy at the thought. I barely know the girl, but something in her brings out a soft spot I didn't know existed inside me until I met her.

Seeing her tumble to the edge of the cliff almost killed me. I can still feel the chill of her body as I carried her up to my apartment still has my heart  stuttering. She didn't stir while I bandaged her head. Having her unconscious body on my couch made me nervous. Not that I haven't seen an unconscious body before, but she was out for hours before she stirred.  I was beginning to wonder if she would ever wake up... Then what would I do?

I would have found the answers she needs and even if she never woke up again I would tell her what she needs to know to be at peace. I will make this right for her.

It's time to get to work. I now have all the motivation I need to make this the worlds shortest case.

As I boot up my old computer at the station. They keep it around just in case I ever decide I want my old job back. It's handy to have a second "work station." I hear distant thunder as it  rumbles across the sky. I hope the power stays on. We have a generator here, which is the reason I came here in the first place, bit it's not always the most reliable.

I pull up a search on Echo Ridge Manor. News stories pop up  by the dozens. I skim over some. Many are a lot of the same information Hannah already told me. One in particular catches my interest. It was about General Albert Williams. It seems he had made many enemies over the years. 

During a hurricane the town had been wrecked, and instead of helping out with his millions, he kept it to himself. Many had lost their families from lack of food and proper clothing. Many swore vengeance on him and his family.

Lights flicker over head. I wonder how much longer they will hold out. I can hear the wind whipping outside the station.

 I hope Hannah is all right. As soon as I'm done here, I'm going home to make sure she is okay. I don't like the idea of how vulnerable she is. And how brave she had to be for calling for help. Some people don't understand how abuse can be like chains that like to an eternal cycle of torment. Not everyone make it out. But she will.

I go over a few more news articles. There are some old pictures and accounts of people at the party, but as far as anyone can tell, no one saw what happened to the happy couple. They just disappeared. 

But people don't just disappear! They have to go somewhere... Or were taken. But who would take them, and why? The one who stands to inherit the most is Hannah, but she was only days old and with her nanny. That was verified by the sister, in the old police reports.

Also in the police reports, Hannah's Aunt Rose was interviewed and the police even checked her home. She was cleared. That didn't make her any less guilty of being a despicable human being, and torturing her niece for years. I'm still not sure why she would not let her go... But it doesn't matter any more, because I won't give her back. And if Hannah doesn't press charges on her tormenters, then I will on her behalf.  

 Lighting cracks just outside my window.

A news clip at the very bottom mentions an old will. It says the last remaining heir would inherit all the fortune and the manor.

I thought about that for a minute. I am falling in love with an heiress. But it didn't seem to have any baring on my feelings toward her. In fact, I could be happy to have us live in my little apartment. Just me and her... and maybe someday we could have a son and a daughter... I laugh. I have never considered having children before. But now I want to be a father.

I refocus on the short article. There is something about it that nags the back of my mind. If no one knew Hannah was alive, would that mean Rose stood to inherit? Or would Hannah have to be dead...

Lightning flashes and thunder booms.

The lights go out.

But just before they did, I managed to read "If anything happened to the last remaining heir, all the fortune will go to the caretakers..."

Fear shoots through me. So, that is why her aunt and uncle wouldn't let her go. They are trying to keep her dependent on them until she dies, or they kill her, so they could inherit the manor for themselves.

But they can't take it until she is dead. And I'm not going to let that happen!

I have to get back to Hannah!