Chapter Nine Chapter Nine

They left the restaurant and headed to the car that Marco had parked just outside the building.

"Thank you for eating at Le Bernardin. Please do come again.", said the waiter as they both left the building and headed home.

Riley dozed off a few minutes later in the car on their way back home.

"I promise everything will be fine as long as i'm here," Marco said as he held her hand. Just a few minutes later, they arrived back home. Marco carried Riley's unconscious body and took her inside the 2 story mansion. She must have been tired after all she had been through earlier that day.

Riley slept peacefully through the night. By the time she woke up, Marco wasn't there. Instead he left a note stating that he had to be somewhere.

"Where could he have gone to?", asked Riley to herself as she got up from the bed reluctantly, feeling a little feverish. Some minutes later, her phone started beeping. It was a call, and it wasn't a stored number.

"Who could this be?", a she took her phone and picked the anonymous call.

"Hello. Who is this?", asked Riley to the anonymous caller.

"You may not remember me. I used to be close to your father before his death. I would like to meet up with you to discuss something. It is very important."

Riley just that he was a just a crazy fan, as her father used to be very famous before he died.

"I think i should just cut this call. I see no point in me talking to an absolute stranger.", said Riley, as she was about to cut the call.

"Wait..no, please. Don't cut it. My name is Lieutenant Logan. I used to be a very close friend to your father. There are some things that you have to know. It is very important. I would like to meet up with you at Redwood Park today by, let's say 10?"

"Lieutenant? Did i do anything wrong? Why would a lieutenant want to meet up with me?", Riley thought.

"I know what you are thinking. I assure you, you haven't committed any crimes. It's just..just something that has to do with your father that you need to know."

"My father? What about him?"

"It can't be said over the phone. It is something i have to see you in person for.", said Lt. Logan

. Riley checked the time. It was 9:30. She had better hurry up she wants to meet him in time.

"Okay, i will be there.", said Riley as she cut the call and headed up stairs to prepare for her outing.

A few minutes later, she was done and headed out to the park the lieutenant had told her to come to. This park was familiar, Redwood Park. It spread out over the vibrant green grass, sat contentedly on checkered covers, families enjoyed a picnic.

Near the rocky road, a plump vendor with a silly oversized hat sold refreshing ice cream to passers-by. Nearby multiple creaking swings were occupied by a bunch of toddlers pushed by their caring parents. The scent of blooming flowers wafted throughout the beautiful place. It originated from a group of sturdy trees. The sound of water was dripping from a statue's moth at the center of a glistening white fountain. This was a wave of nostalgia to Riley. This pleasurable atmosphere was familiar, one in which she was used to when she was younger.

She looked around and saw a man in a police uniform sitting in a long wooden bench.

"That must be him," said Riley as she proceeded over.

She approached the Lieutenant with a warm smile.

"Thank you for accepting my invite to this meeting, Miss Bathory."

"I'm actually married. See?", said Riley, giggling as she showed the Lieutenant her finger.

"Oh..my apologies, Mrs--"

"Velásquez. I am Mrs Velásquez. What was it you wanted to talk about so urgently?", asked Riley as she took a seat on the wooden bench.

Lt. Logan heaved a deep sigh.

"This has been something i have wanted to get off my chest for a very long time. It is something you need to know as i shouldn't be hiding it from you.

Riley was already getting nervous because she wondered what he wanted to say that was so important.

Do you remember Lady Tatiana?, asked the lieutenant.

"Yes, that famous woman who founded many hospitals and organizations, especially the county hospital. I remember her, why?"

"Well..um, she..she is your late father's..um..she is your late father's sister!", said the lieutenant a little scared at first to tell her.

"What?? Are you messing with me right now? How could he have a sister and he didn't tell me?, asked Riley. Riley was already getting annoyed, as she thought this was a complete waste of time.

"Your father had his reasons for not telling you. Lady Tatiana had been getting murder threats from anonymous people. As you know, your dad was a very well known too. He only wanted to protect her. If the public knew they were siblings, they could attack either him or you, and your mom. He didn't want that. What i have really called you here for is for you to know how your aunt truly died."

Riley was shocked. She didn't know what to say, this was very surprising. She didn't know how her dad could hide such a thing from her. But according to the lieutenant's explanation, she understood why. This must have been the reason why she always felt a connection to her. She was her aunt!

"How she died? Didn't she die in a car accident??"

"No she didn't. That was just what your dad wanted everyone to believe. So, he talked with me and we staged a fake story about her death. Lady Tatiana was attacked in her home. Something or someone attacked viciously. After the attack, there were claw marks all over her body. And whatever attacked her, also took her heart out and went away with it. It was very surprising, because this could only be the work of a vicious animal. What was more surprising is that if it truly was an animal which attacked her, there would be signs of forced entry, and at least there would be destroyed properties inside the home. It was as if Lady Tatiana intentionally let this animal into the house and the it killed her. But why would she let an animal into her home? It could only be a human that could be well reserved like this. But how? The claw marks? Her heart was gone? How was this possible? And on top of all these, whatever attacked her also burnt down the whole house, but somehow, Lady Tatiana was not affected by the fire not even one bit. All these was very surprising, and for your safety, we both decided to hide this from everyone. I am sorry for not contacting you earlier about this. For all these years, i have just been trying to make sense of the situation because your father made me promise not to tell anyone."

Riley was utterly shocked. She didn't know what to say. The lieutenant was right. What could have attacked her and why? Riley thought about it for sometime and could also not make sense of the situation.

"Um, thank you so very much for letting me know. I never would have thought in my wildest dreams that Lady Tatiana was my aunt."

"It is my pleasure. Please, do not inform anyone of this. Your life may be in danger. And you must also know that the same way that Lady Tatiana died was also the same way your late father died. I only haven't informed anyone because that was your father's last parting words. he asked me not to inform anyone. Something is wrong, i don't know what it is. I have tried tracking down people who were in last communication with both of them, but i wasn't able to get any suspects. I am sorry, i tried my best to track down their killers.", said the lieutenant, feeling guilty.

Riley was even more shocked, she felt as if she was going to faint. She couldn't believe that her dad died such a horrible death. She leaned her head against the bench and she started sobbing. She missed her father, and she wished she was there, with him when it happened. She probably would have been able to stop his death.

"Please you don't need to cry. Your dad only wanted you to be happy. He wouldn't have wanted to bring sadness to you. It was never my intention to hurt you, but i just wanted you to know the truth because you deserve to know. And i'm happy that i was able to inform you about your dad. If you will excuse me now, i would like to take my leave, i have a lot to attend to. Thank you for sparing your time.", asked the lieutenant, as he stood up to leave.

"Wait! Who were you to my dad? I never knew you.", asked Riley as she cleaned her tears and stood up.

The lieutenant turned back.

"I was your dad's friend. Your dad's best friend, and we were very close before he died. It hurts me to know that i couldn't do anything to prevent his death. I'm sorry. ", said the lieutenant as he turned back and left.

"You don't need to be. Thank you.", said Riley to herself as she stood there in utter disbelief of what she just found out.

Riley was still shocked. She wanted to tell Marco everything, but Lt Logan was right. For this kind of thing to have happened to her dad and aunt, there is no guarantee that it can't happen to her or Marco. She wouldn't tell Marco to protect him. She had to be strong.

After a few minutes, she left the park and headed home to rest and ponder upon what she had just learnt this early morning.