74
After every session, he began to open up well enough to let the darkness in his heart go. But with every ounce of darkness that left his heart, a void appeared and he knew what he needed to fill that void.
Even though Tshepo had warned him not to see Rachel for fear of putting her in danger again, he couldn’t help but yearn for her over and over again. He still had the problem of Jacob defaming him, and spreading lies about him and his involvement with Rachel. Tshepo advised that it was best they continued to let Jacob believe she was dead so that they could keep doing their investigation in private and when they had enough proof of his illegal activities and his partners in crime they could pull the rug out from under him. It wasn't just enough to destroy Jacob, they had to take his cohorts with him too.
Nate understood the importance of letting Tshepo do his job but he felt he would die if he didn’t convince himself of Rachel’s safety so he did what he knew best. He threatened Tshepo until the man had no choice but to give in to his friend’s request.
“You know you are one stubborn man who is going to be the cause of his own death right?” Tshepo shook his head at his friend.
“And you know I will not relent until I get what I want. I just want to see her.”
“And if she doesn’t want to see you?”
He didn’t want to think about that but he knew she wouldn’t want to see him after what he did to her. She may have saved his life the other day but that didn’t mean she had forgiven or forgotten his betrayal and unjust treatment of her.
“Just let me try,” Nate begged.
“Fine,” Tshepo told him Rachel’s new and secure address but as Nate started to leave he stopped him. “Before you go, there’s been a new development with Jacob. As you know, he is not just seeking to defame you now, he is laying a claim on your inheritance.”
Both men were transported back to another place, another time when they murdered a man. It was there Nate had first learned that he was Fredrick’s heir. He still could not believe after all these years that his mother lied to his father and him about who his real father was. But he had assumed position as Fredrick’s heir and built his wealth on that foundation.
“If you recall there was a missing page in that file with a piece of carbon paper that had an imprint on it. Do you remember the name on it?”
Nate remembered vividly because he had kept that singular carbon paper all these years and even kept the negative from the torn page. He knew what had been written on it.
“Jacob Madden was the name written on it.” He had had his suspicions but the hand of fate had been too coincidental for him to believe what that meant.
“Jacob Madden is Jacob Henderson. My men did some research and it was a hard task but they discovered that you weren’t Fredrick’s only heir. There is no concrete proof that Jacob really is Fredrick’s son but Fredrick named him as his heir when he thought you were dead.”
“Do you think he will try to go to court with it and claim the inheritance?”
“A court is too dangerous and he would only go to one if the judge was in his pocket. But frankly, I think even the story about how he came to be Fredrick’s heir and how you both turned out to be stepbrothers would be one hell of a story to tell in a court. He might not have to go to a court to get his hands on the money, taking you out of the picture is the easier route. All I’m saying is be careful. I suspect Jacob has a fate worse than death waiting for you and if you give him an opening he will not hesitate.”
Nate thought about it. Honestly, he didn’t really care about the money but he worried about what power Jacob would get if he got his hands on it. What were the odds that his stepbrother was the man after his life and one little but strong woman bound them together?
Fate really could be a bitch sometimes.
“I understand you, Tshepo and I thank you for standing by me all these years. Let’s see what Jacob’s next move is. If killing me is the goal then he will find out that I am a difficult man to kill.”
Both men shook hands and Tshepo watched his friend go thoughtfully.
It was about evening time when Nate finally found the place Rachel stayed. He had followed Tshepo’s very detailed description and found the house in a small town still buried in Gem Hills. That was a smart idea, hiding Rachel outside Gem Hills might alert Jacob to get her presence since she would need identification and a security pass to get through security checks and there was no knowing how much of those were controlled by Jacob’s friends.
Nate sat in the car for a long time, his fingers tight around the steering wheel as he stared at the simple house. It was a converted cottage with a very homely look. It was so ordinary and warm to look at that for a second he imagined himself standing outside with Rachel in his arms while they looked on and waved at little kids running around the yard that had flowers growing on every inch of the soil.
It was such a good place to call home.
He was still deep in his thoughts when suddenly the door opened and a tall, red-haired, woman walked out with a water can. He recognized her as Mabel, Rachel’s sister, and watched as she began to water the growing vegetables and flowers.
She had barely done much when she noticed the car there.
He saw the fear in her eyes and quickly opened the door to reassure her at he wasn’t an enemy when the look of fear was replaced with anger and the metal water can came hurtling toward him.
He barely dodged the unconventional weapon but it hit his car window and the glass shattered.
“You! What are hell are you doing here?!” she demanded. Thankfully it was almost nightfall so there weren’t many people passing to witness her venomous reaction to seeing him there.
“I want to see Rachel please,” he begged.
“You can go to hell and look for her. That man promised we would not have to worry about seeing you or Jacob here. You both have done enough hurt to my sister already!”
He knew she was referring to Tshepo. He should thank his friend profusely for giving him the address because he knew that if he were to try on his own Mabel would make sure he rather end up dead than find them.
He raised his hand up in surrender – if she were holding a gun he would no doubt be dead by now. He had to admire the woman’s strength.
What he needed now was his own strength and courage because the door of the cottage opened and out came the object of his desires; Rachel dressed in a loose white shirt and equally loose trousers. Her hair was pulled atop her head falling in curls down her neck. She didn’t notice him at first, she stared at Mabel in amazement wondering why her elder sister looked like she was ready to pounce on the next thing that moved.
“Are you alr…” She saw him then and paused, the light in her eyes dying. Her hand went to her belly and he felt his chest tighten.
“Get back inside,” Mabel ordered. “He is leaving now.”
“No he is not,” Rachel said taking a deep breath. It’s better now than later, she thought to herself. “Excuse us, Mabel.” She said in a voice that brook no argument.
