Thursday, April 22nd
Riverside clinic, St. John, 10 am
Olivia was with her attorney in a room prepared for her meeting with Inspector McKinley. She had had a peaceful sleep, after they had given her a tranquilizer. Now she was waiting for Neil, and she was feeling restless and shameful. What had she done? Oh, my God! What had happened in the last few days? She had lost control of her emotions, and she had given in to a stupid desire for revenge. Why? She had always been a reasonable, sensible woman, and now? Had she ruined her life? What would happen to Rachel? And that poor girl? She had tried to kill her, and, if it hadn't been for that policeman… She shivered at the thought of the harm she could have done.
At that moment the door was opened, and she saw the pained expression of her father, his worried glance. He came to the chair where his daughter was sitting, he crouched down, and he embraced her. Why had she not trusted her dear father, who had always cared for her? Why had she excluded him from her life in the last few days? Why had she shut herself in her sorrow? And now? Did he already know what she had done?
She heard a voice in the corridor. An agent opened the door deferentially, and Neil came in. He didn’t seem particularly affected by the swim in the cold water. He sat down in front of Olivia, and he smiled at her. She felt so ashamed, because the handsome policeman had perceived her intentions and had tried to warn her, to dissuade her, but she had been so stubborn.
She bowed her head, and she fought back tears. She laid her elbows on the table, and she buried her face in her hands. Her father put a hand on her arm, and he told her softly:
“Olivia, Inspector McKinley is here to try to help you. Are you ok?”
Neil intervened:
“Olivia, do you feel like telling me what happened last Sunday?”
Olivia took a deep breath, she looked into the blue eyes of the policeman in front of her. She had watched the ceremony the previous Christmas, and she had thought that she had never seen such a handsome man. Now he was sitting in front of her, and she had to confess that in person he was even more handsome. He had a red polo shirt that outlined his muscular build. His face and his arms were slightly tanned, and the blue eyes were even more beautiful and expressive. But what struck her more than his handsomeness was the softness, the kindness of his features. He inspired calm and comfort. Olivia couldn't help feeling a little more relaxed, even if the gravity of her situation was evident.
“How is Daisy?” She asked with a trembling voice.
Neil answered:
“My colleagues are at the hospital with her now. She is ok, they are keeping her at the hospital until tomorrow because she has a slight concussion on her head, but she is alright.”
Olivia kept her face bowed and asked in a soft almost inaudible voice:
“And you, Inspector? The water must be cold.”
Neil smiled, and he answered:
“The water was not cold, it was freezing, but I am fine, apart from a few sneezes. I am used to much worse situations.”
She reflected for a few moments, and then she locked eyes with the Inspector, and she started tentatively:
“When I learnt from my father about my husband's bigamy, I just couldn't accept it. I suspected my husband had debts, maybe that he had a lover somewhere, that he had some secrets, because he had become more and more slippery, but I would never NEVER have imagined something like that. I wanted to find him, I had the absurd idea that, if I talked to him face to face, things could be settled, that he certainly would swear he loved me.” She felt tears rolling down her cheeks, and she wiped them away with the back of her hand.
Neil was watching her intently, and she had the impression that he had the ability to perceive her emotions beyond her words. He was really a remarkable man. She gathered her strength, and she went on:
“I thought of the SIM card I had given him. He was always on the road, and I thought that having a phone number just for the two of us would be a good idea. I sent him a text message using a prepaid phone, saying that I would give him the money to pay his debts, and that I wanted to have him out of my life. I was sure that the idea of money would encourage him to get in touch. I was right because last Sunday morning he answered my message, he gave me his address, and he told me to go to him that evening.”
Now came the most difficult part, and Olivia thought for a moment that she would never be able to tell what happened next. It was so painful. She felt her father squeeze her hand, and she turned to him. He had always been her rock, her comfort. How has she been able not to think of the worry, of the suffering she was giving him? She tried to smile at him, and she turned back to the Inspector.
“He suggested using the street behind the building instead of the motorway. I thought he didn't want to be discovered by the police or by the gangster who was hunting him down. When I rang the bell, he opened both the front door and the apartment door. I let myself in, and I found him sitting on the sofa with a gun in his hand.”
Olivia started trembling at the remembrance of her husband, but she recovered her composure, she took a deep breath, and she went on:
“He stood up pointing the gun at me. He had a mocking smile on his face. He told me to give him the bag with the money. It was immediately clear that he had no intention to apologize or to explain. I had never seen him with such an arrogant expression. He told me that he didn't love me, that he had never loved me.” The words now were tumbling out of her mouth, as if she wanted to finish the tale of those terrible moments as fast as she could.
“He told me that the only woman he had ever loved was Daisy’s mother, and that he had killed her, because she had discovered everything.” Neil felt his heart go to the girl in hospital who had lost her mother in such a dramatic way.
“I was completely stunned, and I turned to go away, but he called me, and he told me that he couldn't let me go to the police. I understood that he intended to kill me. I didn't know what to do, also because I was feeling sick. At that moment a mobile phone rang on the sofa. He turned, and, for a moment, he laid his gun on the coffee table. I picked up a heavy door stopper that was lying on the floor, and when he was picking up his gun, I struck him.” Olivia started to sob uncontrollably, and her father drew her to him.
It took her a few minutes to recover and stop crying, but the Inspector didn't press her. He was watching her with sympathy, and this comforted her: he was not judging her or putting in front of her her responsibilities.
She tried to control her emotions and to refrain from crying, when she resumed:
“I saw that he didn't move.. I took the bag with the money, and I left. I was so agitated that I don't know how I was able to drive back to the hospital.”
Neil reflected for a few moments, and then he said, turning to the lawyer:
“What Mrs. Clancy has told us matches what we have found in our investigation and on the scene of the crime, apart from the mobile phone, but I think I know who has taken it. I am not a judge, but I think that this is a case of self defense.” The solicitor was nodding, but he let Neil go on:
“The only problem is that there are no witnesses, but I think the behavior of the victim and his lifestyle will have a bearing.”
Olivia hadn't thought of the possibility of claiming self defense, and she looked at the policeman with gratitude. Then she realized that now came the hardest part: what she had done to Daisy was not self defense. It was kidnapping, menacing, and attempted murder… Oh, my God!
She said, anticipating Neil:
“I am so sorry for what I have done to Daisy. I have no excuse, apart from my sense of bitterness and disillusionment and my inability to accept my husband's behavior.”
Her father put an arm around her waist, trying to make her feel her presence. She turned to her dad and said:
“I know I have done something terrible, and I am so ashamed.”
Vincent looked at Neil, and he said:
“We all know that what Olivia has done is serious. Daisy could have been killed or seriously injured, and you risked your life to save her. We don't want to convince the girl not to press charges, because it would not be right, but we want her to know that we are sorry, that Olivia is conscious of what she has done.”
Neil reflected for a few moments, and he said, looking at Olivia:
“Daisy is a sweet sensitive girl, and she has already said that she doesn't justify what you have done, but she can understand the bitterness and profound sadness you were feeling. You must consider that she lost her mother two years ago, and she already suspected that it was her father’s fault. She had heard some discussions between her parents the days before her mother's accident, but at that time she hadn't been able to understand, or she had refused to understand what the matter was. She didn't know about you and Rachel. She remembers that, when she was kidnapped, the man called her Rachel, that's all!”
“I am sorry”, Rachel said with an anguished voice, “I accused her mother of being after my money. I said nasty things to her, and I let my feelings to Brian take hold. I can't go back two days and cancel my actions, but … What can I do? Because I …” she turned to her father, and she resumed: “we would like to get to know Daisy and her grandmother, we would like Rachel and Daisy to become friends…”
Neil smiled, and he said:
“I think that, when you feel like it, you should tell Daisy what you have just said to me. I really hope you can start to get to know each other. Your husband should be in front of me now to face his responsibilities, because he is responsible for what has happened in the last few days. He left two wonderful girls, a mother-in-law and a father-in-law who cared for him and a wife who loved him. I think he didn't deserve so much love.” Olivia nodded, and she was amazed at how the Inspector had summarized the life of her husband in a few words.
Neil went on:
“What I hope is that so much selfishness and wickedness can produce affection and love among you. I have always thought that evil is present in our lives, whether we want it or not, but that we can try to transform it into something good. Try to do it.”
Olivia saw her father stand up, and go to shake hands with the Inspector. She had never seen her father, usually so detached, so emotional and sincerely grateful.
“Thanks, Inspector,” he said with a voice choked by emotion, “thanks for supporting us, for trying to warn Olivia and to help her, and for trying not to judge but to understand. If I can do anything for Daisy and her grandmother, let me know.”
Neil smiled, and he said:
“Can I have a few words with you in private? I think there is something you can do, Mr. Clancy.”
“Of course!”
***
Rosary Hospital, 4 pm
Daisy was feeling decidedly better. The previous evening she had felt weak and dizzy, and she had a strong headache, but, after a restful night, she had woken up much better. The doctor had just told her that the following morning she could go home, because the last x-ray had revealed that her concussion was healing.
Now she was surrounded by her friends: her grandmother, Lisa and Denise had been with her all day, they had even offered to remain during the night, but the doctors had told them that it was not necessary. Billy and Bob had just arrived, and they had told her that Neil was coming soon. She had not seen him after she had been taken to hospital, because he had been busy at the training center after meeting Olivia Clancy at the police station. How could she thank him? He had saved her life!
Anna came into the room, and she went to embrace her:
“How are you, Daisy? I was so worried.” She turned to Bob and Billy, and she said: “Thank you, guys!”
Bob said jokingly:
“Oh, you must thank Prince Charming! He always rescues ladies in distress.” They all laughed at his joke, also because they knew that Bob admired Neil, and he made fun of him only to ease the tension.
Billy added:
“Oh, and I think he thanked Olivia for dragging you out of the house on fire. He prefers water to flames, I can assure you!”
Anna said with affection:
“I didn't call him, because I knew he was busy, but I think that, if I see Billy relaxed, it means that Neil is alright. Am I wrong?”
Billy started to laugh, and he answered:
“Anna, you have understood something essential. When you see me worried or scared, you will immediately know that something is wrong with Neil. Yes, he is ok, just a few sneezes. He is tough, but he confessed that the water was really cold.”
At that moment they heard a knock on the open door. They all turned and saw Neil who was timidly looking into the room.
“I can come in if you stop talking about me.”
Louise turned and she embraced the policeman with tears in her eyes:
“Thanks, Neil.” She looked at him, and she said:
“Are you alright?”
Bob said jokingly:
“This is the part Neil hates: being thanked and praised! Imagine his mood last Christmas at the ceremony.”
Once again everybody laughed, while Neil approached the bed. Daisy reflected that Bob was really good at easing the tension at the right moment. The three policemen had different personalities and backgrounds, but they complemented each other perfectly.
Neil sat down on the edge of the bed, and he hugged Daisy. She felt once again the comfort of those strong arms, the safety she had felt the day before, when he had taken her out of the sea. She would have liked that embrace to last longer, because it gave her so much confidence and affection, and God knew how much she needed that.
“How are you, Daisy?” he asked, touching delicately the bump on her head with his finger.
“I am fine, now it doesn't hurt, even if I think it has a terrible color. And you, Neil?”
Neil smiled and said:
“ I am fine… I like swimming, but I prefer it when the water is a little warmer.” He grinned, and he added: “Take it easy for a few days, ok?”
Lisa understood that Daisy was getting agitated and tearful, and she said jokingly:
“Neil, it is not fair, I wanted to be the first one to fly on a helicopter with you!”
Neil laughed and said:
“I don’t know how much Daisy remembers of the flight, so we will have another one, I promise!”
“Wow!” Denise exclaimed, “can we go as far as Niagara Falls?”
“I will ask, because it is a matter of provinces and boundaries… And,” he turned to Daisy, “we will go swimming next summer. In a bathing suit, which is a little more comfortable!” he winked at the girl in an attempt to make her laugh.
Daisy felt tears coming to her eyes. She really couldn't help thinking of her future with anxiety.
“What shall I do now? I won't be able to go on with my studies..”
Lisa interrupted her:
“She is so anguished, but we have already told her that we will find a way to help her.” She looked around her. “All of us. You can stay at our apartment in Moncton without paying your part of the rent. I have already asked my father.”
Bob said:
“And we will help you, Daisy. How can we live without your chocolate cakes?”
Everybody laughed, except Daisy, who was looking out of the window and trying to fight back tears.
Louise said:
“I have my pension, Daisy. We will try to make ends meet. You can't give up on your dreams.”
Neil gently turned the girl's head to look at him, and he said softly:
“Daisy, do you trust me?”
“Of course I trust you. I thank God they have sent you and your colleagues here!”
“If you trust me, stop worrying, because I may have already found a solution!” He exchanged a glance with Billy, and they smiled. Daisy didn't dare to ask anything, but she hoped they would really help her.
“Sorry!” Everybody turned at the sound of a timid voice at the door.
They saw Vincent Clancy and Rachel with a huge bunch of flowers, who were timidly standing by the door.
Louise was the first to recover from the surprise. She went to shake hands with the man, and she said:
“Please, come in, Mr. Clancy. How are you, Rachel?”
Neil stood up from the bed, and Rachel came nearer. She said kindly:
“Daisy, how are you? We are so sorry for what happened, and my mother is ashamed. She is afraid you will not forgive her…”
Daisy looked at the beautiful girl in front of her, and it was like watching herself in a mirror, so similar were the two girls. She took Rachel by the hand and made her sit down on the bed.
“I am fine, Rachel, and you mustn't worry. Billy and Bob have told me that your mother is sorry, that she was upset for my … for our father's behavior, and she acted on an impulse.”
Rachel was nodding and tears were rolling down her cheeks.
She said:
“The doctors have suggested she should spend a few days in a clinic, so that she can recover completely. But what she did is awful, Daisy.”
Daisy embraced the girl, and Rachel started to cry. Vincent approached the bed, and he caressed Daisy's cheek tenderly. He said:
“We would like to meet one of the following days.”
Anna and Neil exchanged a glance, and she said:
“Why don't you come to me? Daisy can help me in the kitchen, if she feels up to it, and you can get to know each other.”
Neil hadn't had time to arrange something with Anna, and he was amazed at how she was able to perceive the situations and to intervene at the right time.
Anna went on:
“On Saturday at lunch the Trattoria is closed, so you could have a quiet time together. What do you think?”
Daisy and Rachel looked at each other, and Rachel said:
“Will you be ok, Daisy? Won’t Saturday be too early?”
“Yes, of course, I am feeling fine. I am looking forward to getting to know you…”
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1Q76Zmkpj
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN76PnmOQAm
33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1CBL3PICm
and then Add to home screen.