Chapter 120

RAVEL

PRESENT TIME

Hazel, with a tired look in her eyes, deftly placed the call on speaker mode, ensuring that all of us could partake in what Rigger had to reveal about David. The suspense hung in the air, and even the seasoned detective seemed to share my anticipation, eager to unearth the enigmatic secrets that the conniving scoundrel had so skillfully hidden away. Rigger, a renowned investigator in his own right, may not have quite reached the legendary status of Sabestine, but his reputation. assured me that he was more than capable of delving into the depths of David’s life, uncovering those elusive details that remained concealed to the naked eye.

With a respectful and somewhat somber tone, Rigger began, “Good evening, ma’am,” his words carrying a genuine weight of empathy. “Before I embark on this journey of discovery, I’d like to extend my deepest sympathies to you for the tragic ordeal your daughter has endured.” His heartfelt condolences served as a reminder of the gravity of the situation we were all entangled in.

Hazel’s reaction to Rigger’s empathy was obvious; she physically tensed, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the edge of the sofa. Sensing the need to maintain focus and urgency, I quickly intervened, my voice edged with impatience, urging Rigger to cut through the pleasantries and get straight to the heart of the matter.

“Let’s not dwell on sympathy, Rigger,” I insisted firmly, “It won’t help us find our daughter or bring her home. Please, just tell us why you called.”

Rigger, recognizing my voice instantly, responded with an apologetic tone, “Mr. Southwark, I apologize if my words made you and Ms. Blacks uncomfortable. That was never my intention.”

My impatience boiled over as I snapped, “No more apologies. Just get to the point. We were in the middle of something important before you called, and Hazel isn’t in the right frame of mind for a prolonged conversation.”

-Acknowledging the urgency, Rigger apologized once more before unveiling the purpose of his call, his voice filled with a

sense of gravity, “I understand, Mr. Southwark. Now, regarding the information you asked me to confirm: You were indeed correct. Monica did have a daughter, who is currently eighteen years old. However, there’s a troubling twist to this story. That young woman vanished without a trace three long years ago, with no trace”.

Hazel’s fingers interlocked, her brow furrowing deeply in concern as she sought more details. “Disappeared how?” she inquired with a mixture of anxiety and confusion.

Rigger proceeded to provide further details, painting a perplexing picture of the young woman’s vanishing act. “She simply stopped showing up to work, and remarkably, no one, not her neighbors, nor her landlord, had any inkling of her whereabouts. Friends close to the missing girl, a young lady named Delilah, became increasingly concerned and decided to pay Monica a visit in an attempt to uncover the truth behind her disappearance.”

to their inquiry only deepened the mystery. She claimed that her daughter had left for a nunnery school in England, with the intention of becoming a nun after completing the program. Since Delilah’s mother hadn’t declared her as missing, there was no legal basis to initiate a missing person case, and the matter eventually faded away. To this day, no one has laid eyes

perhaps ashamed that her daughter chose to become a nun? It’s hard to comprehend the

will do. But why deny

school she claimed Delilah went for, but

“Then what happened to her if she isn’t at the nunnery?”

her mind. “Do

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she buried her and then lied about the nunnery to

did I look into it. You only told me to find

if I want him to do more work. “What about David? anything about him

replied calmly yet respectfully. “Monica moved to Seattle three years ago, one week after her daughter’s disappearance, and

eyes widened. “Are you saying David is not her son? I remember she mentioned something like that in the hospital after her fall, but I ruled

to a son. If she lied about her daughter, then there is a possibility she is also lying about her

to do something that she doesn’t know the level of

Rigger continued, “I found out that he moved to Seattle three ago too,” That was the exact year Hazel moved to Seattle too. “And he used to reside in New

jumped to her hairline. “David once lived in New York? He

years before moving to Seattle, but before his life in New York, he stayed in Ohio, Damariscotta, Maine, Pella Iowa, West Virginia, and lastly, New Hampshire. In all these towns that I mentioned, each of them, He had a girlfriend, and they either went missing or turned up dead in their apartment. Cause of death was always ruled as

room with us cursed under his breath at the same time as Hazel. “This isn’t a small

“Who

detective in charge of my daughter’s case,” I responded on behalf of Hazel who is obviously still in shock. “He was investigating David’s connection to the case and I figured he should just listen so he can know the kind of person David

illegal collection of data,” Rigger pointed out, “nobody should call me to testify in any court or make any statement, cause I’m

plans of complicating you in any way. Just carry on

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