Grand. - Episode 11

 

Present Day 

16th February 2017

Thursday Evening,

I halt infront of a door written Coroner Alphonse Walker Jnr. I knock and without waiting for a response push the door open. The Coroner is busy making notes behind a body that is coverd from the waist down. To say the least this place creeps the life out of me . From the silence to the sudden drop of temprature. I can't believe he has to work here all day. He must be made by another fibre. I make my way towards him careful to avoid brushing myself against the body that lies infront of the coroner. He notices my presence and lifts his head from the file, eying me curiously. I shift my legs nervously where i stand.

"Good evening sir. Can i talk to you outside?" I manage to say in an unbelievably small voice.

"In here is fine Miss.."

"Penelope."

He closes his notepad, stands, covers the body and wheels it to the freezer. I turn my eyes away deciding not to look. I just can't stop imagining dead bodies crawling out of the freezer and the fact that Hazel Grace is one of them. He then removes his gloves and eyes me curiously waiting for me to say my piece.

"Not in here."

Opposite the morgue section of the hospital is a security company. I can see two security officers at the gate

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. If Mr. Alphonse tries anything i can scream my lungs out and they will help. Not that am expecting him to do anything but you just can never be sure about this things. Am greatful to be outside because the sudden surge in temptrature is a welcomed after the coldness in that place.

Coldness of death.

"Mr. Walker i need to know what you know about the body found in L.Grande."

"Miss. Penelope you know that's an information i can't give you. The police has withheld it from the public with a reason. Why would a highschool kid be needing that information anyway?"

I want to ask how he knows am in highschool then i remember am still in my school uniform.

"Don't you worry about that sir. You will want to reconsider after taking a look at this."

He snatches the envelope i have on my hand. He looks at me doubtfuly then breaks the seal of the envelop. I watch as his face drops. A mixture of relief and disbelief written all over his face. 

"Where did you get this?"

"You need not to worry about that.The moment you give me the information i need , you will get the documents with your gardener. You will find a tool for your comeback and your brother will not be expecting it."

He  looks again at the photocopy of the certificates i just gave him. Truth is i already gave the original copies in an envelop to Joseph his gardener. If he doesn't give me that information he will still have it anyway. He runs his hand through his hair. I can't miss the ring depression on his finger. He must have removed it recently. The divorce happened a while back but he still must have had the ring on. I heard his wife left him when he lost the estate to his brother. She didn't have the decency to pretend. I wonder what she will do when Alphonse finally gets his estate back. Since she left it has been Alphonse and his work. It is his salvation.

"Okay, you win." He says finally.

I do everything i can to conceal the triumphant smile on my lips." 

"How did she die?"

"One shot at the back of the head."

"Wow. So she did not see her killer?"

"Most probably, yeah." He responds quit impressed that i asked that question. I can see he is still holding out on me.

"What else did you find out?"

"She was two months pregnant when she died."

"Two months pregnant?....That means its a double homicide.  Who could be the father? Maybe he killed her because of it.."

He places his hand on my fake detective shoulder. 

"Now that is for the police to find out."

And me to find first.

I shake my head in pity for this woman.

"I hope you will hold your end of the deal." He says in a firm tone.

"I gave them to Joseph already. I would have given them out even without you helping me."

"I wonder why." He says sarcastically.

We stand in silence. He is happy. I can't imagine how hard this is going to hit his brother Simeon.

"Am sorry for your loss Alphonse."

"Oh.. thanks i got used to her divorcing me because i was poor and... my wealth doesn't make me." He responds casually dismissing my pleasantry note.

"I didn't mean that. I meant her." I say pointing the morgue.

"What?..i don't know what you are talking about." He says feighning ignorance. 

"You don't have to pretend with me. I know you knew Hazel Grace and i also know you had nothing to do with his death. He wants to continue playing dumb like he doesn't know what am talking about but gets over himself. 

"Thank you." He mumbles weakly.

"It was her gift to you." I say looking directly into his eyes which habours mixed emotions.

"It was?"

"Yeah, It was."

******

I finish going over the urea cycle. I have a biology test tommorow and i have always had some problem with some parts of it.

Hazel Grace was two months pregnant when he died. Who could be the father? Lloyd's father? Did he kill her? But why did her mother flee too.? Maybe her murder was totally unrelated to her pregnancy. She stumbled upon a secret she wasn't supposed to and her unborn child became collateral damage. Whatever the case the Ericksons are involved. There is no doubt in my mind about that. I need to know how.

I pace around my room. My mind wonders off to the events of earlier today. Walking up in Lloyd's arm was such a shocker. Sarah would kill me.

Read " Ultimate Sacrifice " by the same author ( DORSILA ANYANGO )

. Where was she? Since monday after tea break she hasn't set a foot in school. Considering they love each other so much, Sarah should be here for Lloyd not me. Its a wonder she is nowhere near him. Lloyd is a handsome one, i tell you. He is a sculpture to look upon and marvel.

You need to concentrate Penny. Cute or not. He is trouble and worse still he is dating trouble.

I sink onto my bed letting out a sigh. I have to figure out who the father is. Maybe then i can get closer to who killed her or why the Erickson's fled.

*********

Author's note

Heey guys. Apologies for being silent all this while. I wasn't being lazy just alot of work thrown my way that i had to take care of. 

Hope you enjoyed this episode.

Ani Ohev Otha/Ota,

Till next time,

Lehitraot.