Thursday, April 8th
Anna’s Trattoria, 3 p.m.
Anna was waiting worriedly for her friend Louise. She had sounded frightened on the phone, but she had told her friend that she preferred to talk to her in person. Anna knew that it must be something about her granddaughter or her son-in-law, because, since Louise had lost her daughter, she had often confided her concerns to Anna, her doubts about her son-in-law’s behavior.
There was a gentle knock on the frosted glass door of the Trattoria, and Anna opened immediately. She saw that Louise was really agitated, and she invited her to go upstairs to her apartment. She locked the door of the restaurant, and the two friends went together to the first floor. Anna had lived in the flat above the Trattoria ever since she had moved from Italy with her husband. She wouldn't live anywhere else, even if the apartment was large for her now. Every corner reminded her of many happy moments spent with her family.
Anna invited Louise to sit on the sofa, but her friend preferred a chair in the kitchen, while Anna prepared a cup of coffee.
“Anna, I am sorry to disturb you… ” Louise started tentatively.
Anna turned from the stove to lock eyes with her friend:
“Louise, you know that you can call me anytime…” She poured the coffee into two cups and brought them to the table. She opened a cabinet over the sink, and she took a sugar bowl. That particular bowl was very dear to her, it was made of artistic Murano glass, and she had taken it from Italy when she had come with her husband, almost thirty-eight years before. It was part of a coffee set, a wedding gift from her mother. She put the sugar bowl on the table, and she sat down next to her friend.
Louise stirred the coffee distractedly, she took a deep sigh, and she looked at Anna with a troubled expression. It was evident that she had difficulty finding the right words …
Anna encouraged her with a smile:
“Louise, what is worrying you so much? I can see that something is bothering you. Is it something about your granddaughter? Is she not well?”
Louise shook her head. She bowed her head for a moment, as if she were collecting her thoughts. Then she started:
“Oh, Anna, yesterday I had a discussion with Luke …” Anna knew that Luke was not easy to get on with, especially since his wife had died, but this time the argument had been obviously very harsh, because Louise was still shaken and upset. Anna waited for her friend to explain further.
“I don’t know, but I think he has some problems in his job or something, because he has never been so rude to me… Yes, I admit that I have always had difficulties in dealing with him, because he resents every comment, every advice on my part, especially the ones concerning Daisy’s bad experience six years ago…” Anna waited for her friend to go on, because she was aware that Louise was upset and even frightened.
“Yesterday Luke came home from work, he stormed into the kitchen where I was cutting the vegetables for dinner, and he told me to find another accommodation, that he didn't want me around any more.” Tears were rolling down the cheeks of the poor woman, and Anna squeezed her hand. Louise had always had her own home, when they lived in Fredericton, but her daughter had asked her to move in with them, because she was worried about Daisy.
Anna couldn't help saying:
“How can he say something like that to you, after all you have done for him and your granddaughter? And after what you have been through with the death of your daughter? What had enraged him so?”
“I asked him, and he told me that I am a busybody, that I go around the town, talking about his life and his daughter…”
“But you have never done anything like that!”
“When he calmed down a little, he referred to a phone call he received from the inspector…” Anna was staring at Louise with wide eyes. She was going to say something but she decided to wait until Louise had explained further.
“He said that he doesn't like interference into his private life, and that I shouldn't have talked to you or to the policemen…. I didn't know what to say, I assured him that I hadn't spoken to anybody! Oh, Anna, I am so tired of telling lies, of defending myself and justifying my actions and my words all the time…” She took a deep breath and she added: “But the Inspector had promised not to tell him about our conversation!” There was anguish and exasperation in the voice of the poor woman.
Anna took out her mobile phone. She told her friend:
“I am sure that Neil didn't say anything, but I have just one way to find out…”
She dialed Neil’s number, and he answered after a few rings. She put the phone on speaker, and she said:
“Hello, Neil. I am here with my friend Louise.”
At the other end of the line, they heard noise, then a door was closed, and Neil answered:
“Hi, Anna. I wanted to call you yesterday, but I was busy. Are you alright? Hello, Louise.”
He heard Louise’s voice say “hi”, and Anna answered:
“Yes, Neil, but Louise has come to tell me about an argument she had yesterday with her son-in-law.”
“What kind of argument?”
“He accused her of going around talking about Daisy and him! He even told her to move out! Have you called him?”
“Yes, I was with Billy two days ago, and I called him. He told me to mind my own business, and that he doesn't approve of his daughter going out with me and my colleagues. He was very rude, and I must say I don't understand why, because I had simply told him that Daisy was upset last Sunday, and we were worried about her …”
“Did you mention our conversation?”
“Absolutely not, Anna. You know that I would never put Louise in a difficult position.”
“Why did he accuse her of talking about him or his daughter, if you didn't mention our conversation?”
“I don’t know, maybe he wanted to hear what Louise would say …but … Louise, I am sorry, I noticed that he is nervous. I really don't understand his reaction, because he could have simply said that Daisy is agitated for her studies, or he could have reassured us politely that he is taking care of her, and I would have accepted that. He is her father, and I don't want to interfere… But now Billy and I want to go to the bottom of this, Louise. If he speaks to you, tell him that you never talk to me, that you don't know me personally. I don't want to involve you, but I am sure that Daisy was kidnapped, that it was a strange kidnapping, and that, for some reasons, her father doesn't want the police to investigate …”
Louise sighed and said:
“I am sorry, Neil, if I have had doubts about what you said, but … why that tone to me? After dinner, he came to me and … he didn't exactly apologize, but he made me promise not to mention that ‘incident’ - he insists on calling it an incident - any more.”
“Louise, he is evidently afraid of something. I don't know exactly what, but he is involved in some way in what happened to Daisy six years ago!” Louise gasped, and Neil tried to sound reassuring, when he went on: “I know that thinking that he is involved in his daughter’s kidnapping sounds crazy or absurd, but what other explanation can you find?” Louise didn't answer, but she reflected that she had had the same impression since that terrible day, and she was sure that her daughter had thought the same.
Neil went on, and, even if his voice was always calm, it was clear that he was worried:
“The most disconcerting thing about this is that he obliged Daisy to lie, he convinced her to cover a crime. This is unacceptable, and I can’t imagine how Daisy has been able to keep that secret, knowing that whoever had kidnapped her could come back.” He paused for a moment, and Louise and Anna exchanged a startled glance. Neil was expressing all the fears and the concern Louise and her daughter had had for Daisy for six years. He had understood clearly what the situation of the poor girl had been … Louise wished for a moment that her daughter was there with her, asking Neil to discover the truth, because this was what Louise wanted now… She had to know the truth, and they had to help Daisy, but only the truth could give the girl peace of mind.
Neil went on:
“I know that what I am saying is not comforting, Louise, but Daisy was scared last Sunday, and she was looking at three guys near a car. I didn't see them clearly, but they evidently reminded her of something… Daisy can't go on like this…”
Anna commented:
“You are absolutely right, Neil. I will try to talk to her when she comes here for her practice. I hope her father won’t prevent her from coming to my restaurant to work, since he seems to be suspicious of all of us…”
“I don't think he will come to that…” Neil said, “give me a few days. We are looking into what happened, even if the police didn't investigate. Your father asked them not to, and Daisy confirmed that she had got lost… We have to be careful, because Luke Brown seems to have a strong influence on her daughter, and I wouldn't want her to clam up and refuse to talk to us…”
Louise said in a trembling voice:
“Thanks, Mr McKinley, thanks, Neil. Daisy can’t go on like this, that's sure… Please try to discover the truth!”
“We will do everything we can, don’t worry. Don’t say anything about our conversations to your son-in-law, please. It would only make things worse. I don't think he really wants you to move out, Louise, because he needs to control what you do. If he is rude to you, tell him that you are looking for an apartment, and that you’ll ask Daisy to live with you … I think he will change his attitude immediately…”
“Thanks for your advice, Neil.”
Anna added:
“Thanks, Neil. I am sorry, but I wanted to hear if you had talked to Mr Brown…”
“I wanted to tell you, but yesterday I had a busy day at the training center. Don’t worry, we will find out what happened… See you in a few days… I think I will be at the Trattoria next Sunday with David and his wife…”
“Yes, he called me to reserve a table. I am looking forward to meeting his wife. See you, Neil, take care…”
When Anna hung up, Louise took her hand and said: “I am sorry, Anna. I can see that you trust the inspector. I appreciate the fact that he is taking Daisy’s situation to heart …” Anna nodded, and she commented:
“Now I think you can understand why I trust him: he is considerate, kind, and he takes everything to heart. He never judges, and he always tries to understand… He is really an extraordinary person…”
“And he has voiced what my daughter and I have always feared… That Luke may be involved in what happened, maybe involuntarily… But Neil’s colleague, Billy… Do you trust him as well?”
“I don’t know much about him… He told the children that he grew up in the same orphanage as Neil, and he evidently admires his friend very much. Daisy and her friends go out with Neil, Billy and Bob, and they are three nice boys, they get on well together, they love their job, and the children say they are funny, they laugh and joke with them … Yes, Louise, you can trust all of them …”
Louise left her friend comforted, and, for the first time since her daughter had died, she didn't feel helpless and lonely… She knew she was doing everything she could to help Daisy.
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***
Vincent Clancy's villa, 6 pm
Rachel was opening her bedroom door, after arriving home from college, when she felt her phone vibrate in her bag. She rummaged through her books, and she took out her mobile phone. When she saw the caller ID, her heart skipped a beat, and she debated for a moment whether to answer or not. She was so angry, so disillusioned by that man, but she couldn't stop loving him. She had always longed for his affection, she had always cherished the few moments she was able to spend with him, and now … she felt betrayed, let down … How would she be able to trust a person, if her father had deceived her for so many years? A father should protect his daughter, he should be absolutely reliable and trustworthy, but was Daisy’s father like this? Could she trust him now?
She tried to sound indifferent, when she answered:
“Hello!”
The voice at the other end of the line was little more than a whisper:
“Rachel, I don't know what you have found out, but I can explain everything… ”
“Oh, I don’t think so, dad, I don’t think so… But I would like to hear your side of the story … I don’t know what you are going to tell mum.”
Her father's voice sounded pleading and desperate: “Please, don't say anything to your mum, at least for now… Please!”
Rachel couldn't help feeling that her father was really in trouble, and she said a little less harshly:
“I don’t think that my grandfather has already shown her what I have seen. He said he wanted to talk to you first. But, if he sees that you don't come back…”
“I can’t come back, Rachel, I really can't!”
“Why? Where do you live when you are not here? Who are those people?”
“It’s not what you guess, Rachel. It’s much more complicated… Listen, now I am busy for a few days, but … what about meeting next Sunday just outside St. John, near the diner where we used to go with your mother? There is a layby just before the diner parking place. Do you know where it is?”
“Yes, dad. What time?”
“What about 4.30 pm? But, Rachel, I want to talk to you alone … Don’t tell anything to your mother, ok?”
“Ok, dad. But you must have a very good explanation, otherwise it will be our last meeting, I promise!”
“Don’t worry, I don't want to lose you and your mum…”
The phone call was abruptly disconnected. Rachel had noticed that her father was nervous, but she reflected that it was because she had discovered something that would change their relationship forever. She prayed he would really be able to justify his actions, because she still loved him very much, and, most of all, she didn't want him to break her mum’s heart.
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***
A motel room, 6.15 pm
Brian knew that he had to make another call now, but he kept looking at his cell phone, as if he couldn’t get around to do it. He drew a deep sigh, and he thought: ‘What else can I do?’ The situation had gotten out of hand, and he couldn’t control it any longer. He needed money, and he needed money soon. After being able to pay his debts, he would think of what to do next.
At the other end of the line there was a very powerful person, who could decide on the destiny of many people.
“Hello!” He couldn’t hide his nervousness. He was conscious that a false step, a mistake would not be forgiven.
“Have you done what we have agreed on?”
“Yes, but be careful! I don’t want to arouse suspicion. And now I am in a precarious position with the old man!”
“That is your business. It’s not my fault if you can only mess things up. I want to have all my money back, Brian…”
The phone call was abruptly cut short, and Brian stared out of the window for a few minutes, unable to move. When had he lost all that money? But, most of all, why had he not been more careful? And why did he feel a strange sense of remorse? He had never been attached to that girl…
***
Moncton, Denise, Lisa and Daisy’s apartment, 8 pm
Lisa, Denise and Daisy were sitting at the large table in their kitchen-dining room, and they were revising their lessons on their laptops and books.
Lisa’s mobile phone vibrated, and she read the message. She turned to her friends and said:
“It is Billy. He asks if we can meet at Anna’s Trattoria after lunch on Sunday. They will have lunch there with their colleagues. We could go for a walk together. Are you free after lunch service, Daisy?”
Daisy raised her eyes from her laptop, and her troubled look was more eloquent than words. Denise and Lisa exchanged a worried glance. Daisy said:
“Yes, because the Trattoria is closed in the evening, but I don’t think it is a good idea to go out with the policemen. They are much older than us, and they have a completely different life…”
Lisa stared at her with wide eyes. She was taken aback by her friend’s remark, and it took her a few minutes to say:
“But you were the one who insisted on being introduced to them the first evening at the diner!”
Daisy pretended to go on studying and lowered her gaze, because she didn’t want her friends to see her discomfort.
Denise put a hand on her friend’s arm and said: “Daisy, is this what you think, or what your father has told you?”
Daisy knew that her friends were sincerely worried for her, but ... oh … she would have liked to confide in them and to tell them what had really happened six years before, but she had promised her father…
She turned from Denise to Lisa, before saying imploringly:
“Please, I know that you are worried, but I really can’t explain … It is too complicated, and I made a promise … And it would be useless now…”
Lisa interrupted her: “Did you promise your father not to talk about what happened six years ago? Ok, but why are you always scared? Why do you scarcely say a word when we are out with our friends? Why do you refuse to go out if we don’t drive you back home?”
The more Lisa talked the more anguished Daisy looked. She buried her face in her hands, and she started sobbing.
Denise put an arm around her friend’s shoulders and hugged Daisy. After a few moments, Daisy was able to calm down a little, she looked at her friends through a veil of tears, and she implored:
“Please, it is a difficult moment for my dad, I can feel that. When I see that he is more relaxed, I will talk to him, because I recognize that I can’t go on like this. I am sorry because last Sunday Neil and his friends saw my distress …”
Lisa insisted:
“Just tell us, Daisy… It was a kidnapping, wasn’t it?”
Daisy took a deep breath, before saying in a faint voice:
“At the beginning, I was so confused and scared that I really believed I had gotten lost. My father told me that it was better to stick to that story, because it would spare me questions and a long time spent at the police station, which would only make me relive my bad experience.”
Denise and Lisa exchanged a glance, but they waited for their friend to go on.
“After a few weeks, I started to have nightmares and to remember faces clearly. I remember a man and a woman. They didn’t harm me. They wanted money but they mentioned people I have never met. I don’t know what their relationship with my father was.”
She looked at her friends, and she added quickly:
“I am sure my father was not involved, maybe they made a mistake, because we are not wealthy. They realized they had taken the wrong person, and they left me near the gas station …”
Denise asked:
“Then why didn’t your father let you tell the police what you remember?”
“Because he said that he was sure that it was a mistake, and that nobody would try to hurt me anymore … And he was right, he did it to protect me, I know!” Her expression changed, when she added: “But I think I have seen that man around …” Lisa asked: “You saw that man last Sunday. Didn’t you?”
“I am certainly mistaken, and I don’t recall his face clearly now, after six years, but I can’t help being scared when I am alone or when I walk on the street in the evening …”
Daisy realized that telling what weighed on her heart made her feel better. It gave her so much comfort to have two friends like Denise and Lisa who shared her apprehension. But now? What would her father do if he knew that she had talked to her friends?
She looked at them imploringly, and she said in an anguished voice:
“Please, don’t tell anybody what I have told you! I have been waiting to talk to my dad for some time now, and I am just trying to find the right time, when he is calm, and he doesn’t have problems with his job. Maybe at Easter, when he is at home for a few days… Let me explain to him that I can’t go on like this! Then I will encourage him to talk to Neil!”
Denise and Lisa exchanged a glance, and Lisa said:
“Ok, we don’t want to force you to do what may make the situation worse. You have to choose the best way, because it is evident that you are under stress, that you can’t go on like this. But in my opinion, you should talk about this to Neil or Billy or Bob. They are very reserved, and they will never talk or do anything if you ask them not to. I am sure they won’t force you to confide in them if you come next Sunday, but we will have a good time together.”
Denise added:
“And your father has never interfered in your choice of friends… And Neil, Billy and Bob are wonderful guys, even if I am sure that one day we will see their girlfriends arrive in Rosary to join them.” She concluded with a resigned sigh.
Lisa added: “Certainly Neil must have a girlfriend somewhere. How can a cool handsome man like him be alone? Have all the women in their late twenties or early thirties gotten blind or dumb?”
They laughed together, and the atmosphere became visibly more relaxed.
Daisy looked at her mobile phone and said:
“I want to ask my dad when he will have a few days off. I need to talk to him as soon as possible.” She turned to her friends and told them: “Thank you for supporting me. I know I am often nervous but you always put up with me, and you encourage me to do the right thing. I don’t know what I would do without you two…” She hugged her friends with gratitude. When she got gently free from their embrace, she dialed a number, and she waited for an answer. Lisa and Denise watched her with apprehension.
They heard Daisy’s part of a short conversation:
“Hello, dad … Yes, everything is alright … Can I ask you something? … Oh, I see! … Tomorrow evening I will be at home … Ok, I will wait for you! … Bye, dad!”
She put the mobile phone on the table and said with apparent nonchalance:
“He is at dinner with some colleagues. He promised to call me tomorrow… But it doesn’t matter because on the weekend he is always at home. I will find a moment to talk to him, don’t worry!”
She turned her attention back to her laptop, and the three friends resumed their studies.
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and then Add to home screen.