An inkling
At nightfall, Henry drove into his mansion's parking lot. Taking a deep breath, he got out of his car, and approached the doorstep.
He rang the doorbell, and waited for Quinn to open the door for him.
After a few minutes, he heard footsteps, from within.
The door clicked open, and Henry walked inside.
Quinn didn't even say a word of welcome to him. She walked back to the sofa where she had been lying on, and lowered herself on it.
Henry looked at her, as she sulked.
He decided to have the conversation with her later.
He headed upstairs to freshen up. He already had his dinner at the office.
On second thoughts, he came back again,
"Have you eaten?" He asked. He was sure she hadn't.
Confirming his suspicion, she shook her head.
"Why? Do you want to starve yourself to death?" He asked exasperatedly.
Quinn raised her head to look at him. Henry could see large drops of tears in her eyes.
She was hurt...
"How can I have the appetite to eat? Tell me.... My daughter is somewhere, in an unknown location. Who knows if she is passing through pain at the moment?" She cracked up, as the tears came in torrents.
"Hey... It's fine, I'm sorry." He moved towards her and sat close to her.
He decided to tell her what happened at the office.
"Someone called me today." He began, while looking closely at her.
When he saw that she gave no reaction whatsoever, he continued,
"He said something concerning Emelda." Henry continued.
Quinn whirled around to look at him,
"What did he say?!" Any news concerning Emelda at that moment was of utmost importance.
Without any other word, he pulled out his phone, and played the recording for her to listen to.
At the end of it, Quinn hardened her gaze. Who was this person?
It was someone who knew her well...
Two people came to mind; Kathleen and Stephen.
She didn't know why she suspected Stephen, but she did.
"Do you have an idea who it is?" Henry asked at the end of the recording.
"I'm not sure... I have to speak to grandfather." She stood up , and headed upstairs.
She had to speak to her grandfather....
If it was Kathleen, or Stephen, then....
She didn't want to think about what would happen to them. She was going to torture them.
'Stephen.'
If he was the culprit, then he deserved to die!
How could he kidnap an innocent child? Even threatening to kill her?!
What an inhumane attitude!
The reason why she suspected the both of them, was....
Kathleen wanted her out of the mansion. And if she was aware of Emelda's existence, then she was likely the culprit.
Although she suspected Stephen, her suspicion was lesser than that of Kathleen's...
That was because he was already attached to Emelda. So, how could he bear to kidnap her?
Well, she needed to speak to her grandfather nevertheless.
They had to monitor Kathleen's movements, and her past moves too. That of Stephen wasn't to be excluded.
..............
Getting to her room, she pulled out her phone, and dialed the so familiar number.
After few rings, her grandfather picked up the call.
"Hello child?" Her grandfather asked from the other end of the line.
"Hello grandfather..." She said in a monotone.
Raphael could sense that his granddaughter had something to say to him,.
"We are still searching for her, Quinn. Don't worry, she will be found." Her grandfather hurriedly said.
"I know.... Grandfather, there is something I want to tell you." Quinn said slowly.
"I know you do. I'm listening child." He encouraged.
Quinn was silent for few minutes. Although her grandfather was trying to put up a brave front, she could sense that he was stifling his emotions.
"Quinn??" Her grandfather called out.
Quinn took a deep breath, and explained everything to him.
"What?!" Raphael yelled at the other end of the line.
"You know what, send the recording to my email, this instant." Her grandfather instructed.
"Yes grandfather." Quinn said.
"Don't worry, if the culprit is one of them, then...." Her grandfather said solemnly.
"I know. I'm hanging up." She tapped the hang up button, and threw her phone on the bed.
What was happening?
Ever since the disappearance of her daughter, she hadn't slept a wink. Her head always felt woolly.
She transferred all the work activities to Avie. His was she expected to concentrate at work?
When she couldn't even think straight?
She sighed again, and headed downstairs. Just as Henry said, she needed to eat something.
She could feel her stomach knotting in pain. She was damn hungry.
She went straight to the kitchen, and was surprised to find Henry with his back turned towards the entrance.
He was preparing dinner for her!
Quinn felt a sweet feeling spread across her heart. Just his simple actions were enough to melt her heart.
"Come inside... Don't stand there." He suddenly said.
She chuckled, and made her way towards him.
She hugged him from behind. As Henry made to turn, so as to hug her properly, she stopped him,
"Don't.... Just let me hug like this for a while.... Please." She buried her head deeper in the small of his back.
Henry didn't push her off. He knew she needed any form of support and consolation, she could get, at that period.
And so, he let her hug him, while he continued preparing dinner.
....................
The both of them sat at the dining table eating.
"Here." He placed a peeled shrimp on her plate.
Quinn smiled,
"Thank you."
Henry nodded.
"You should smile like this, you know." He said after observing her for a while.
"What?" Quinn looked at him confusedly.
"Ever since our daughter disappeared, you haven't smiled. Don't do that." Henry said seriously.
"Okay. I will smile after she is found." She said quietly, and took a sip of her juice.
"She will be found. I'm sure of that..." Henry said assuredly.
Quinn said nothing further. She continued eating.
