CHAPTER 10: EMERGENCY

The letter had a name on it. No return address. She hadn't even finished reading it when it took her life.

Catherine's heart jammed harder at the sight of the document. Her fingers trembled as she took it off the shelf. It was covered in dust. She dusted and blew off the white cast. She hesitated, contemplating whether she should read it now or take it home. But then, she flipped open the document and started reading through it. Her pulse was pounding so fast when she came across something in the document.

She paused, swallowed hard, and narrowed her brows. It stated in the document that Sullivan launched a secret investigation into her father's company years back. He got close. Really close. But he stopped the investigation. Catherine frowned, furiously flipping through the document page by page, looking for the reason or explanation given for ending the investigation. She sighed a breath of disappointment. Sadly, no reason was found. "Why did he stop the investigation?" she angrily asked herself.

 Immediately, she heard footsteps approaching, and quickly she hid behind a curtain. A lady came in and picked up a document from a shelf and left.

Catherine came out of her hiding place and shoved the document into her handbag. She got out and shut the door behind her.

It was five minutes to closing time. The office was winding down already, light dimming one after the other, and employees tripped out with tired smiles and shallow goodbyes.

Catherine took the stairs; she was trying to rush off, so she wouldn't get to see Sullivan. As she stepped into the lobby, the known face behind the reception desk looked up.

"Hey, Miss Walter!" The receptionist called out with a broad grin.

 Catherine paused. She adjusted the strap of her handbag, took a deep breath, and had a furtive smile on. "Hi."

The woman stood and smoothed her blazer. "I see you're heading home already."

"Absolutely."

"I'm Zoey. I didn't get a chance to properly introduce myself this morning. You look a little overwhelmed. It's totally normal by the way."

Catherine laughed warmly. "You noticed?"

"Oh! Trust me, I'm keen-sighted like a hawk," Zoey chuckled. "So, how did it go?"

Catherine leaned on the counter, the tension in her shoulders easing off. "Honestly, not bad. Though I didn't get introduced to other employees today, I'm guessing that would be done tomorrow. But in all, I never felt out of place."

"That's a win, then," Zoey added. Immediately, she leaned forward and whispered with a playful smirk. "Word of advice for you. Bring a luncheon tomorrow. The vending machine on the first floor is always empty by noon, and the cafeteria queue is an Olympic sport."

Catherine laughed heartily, feeling the warmth of friendship. "Advice taken into consideration."

"Well," Zoey scoffed. Straightening up again, "if you ever need anything or someone to talk to. I will be right here."

"Aww! Thanks Zoey. That means so much to me."

"Get home safe, Catherine."

Catherine waved as she walked out, the glass door closing behind her, and a small smile lingering on her lips.

It was a breezy evening. Elena Walter had just returned from a walk-out into her cottage, which is tucked at the edge of Court Creek. Where the only sounds heard were the bird chirping and the ticking of the old pendulum clock.

As Elena got closer to her doormat, there was a brown-colored envelope with no return address on it. Her name was written in bold script. She picked it up and went inside her cottage. Back at her dining table, she stood; a weird feeling blooming in her chest. She reached for a silver letter opener and slid it beneath the flap, and unfolded the single sheet inside. 

Her eyes scanned the words with so much attention, then again. Each word pierced through her like a knife.

Dearest Elena,

Get hold of your daughter. She's snooping into matters she can't handle. Put her on a leash else, you will find her in a body bag. Do not say, I didn't warn you.

A friend.

Elena's whole body trembled. She broke out in a cold sweat as her heart raced, thinking about the safety of her only child. The edges of her vision blurred. Her lips separated in a soundless whisper as she shook her head, "No, not my child."

Then everything went dark. The letter slipped from her hand, floating to the floor just as her body followed, limp and in total silence.

Catherine was humming softly in her kitchen as she turned on the oven. She was about to make macaroni and cheese for dinner. Her phone started ringing, she picked it up from the kitchen center table, and looked at the screen. It was an unknown number calling. She hissed and ignored the call. She was pouring the macaroni into a non-stick pan when the phone rang again. "Can't I get some peace and quietness?" she grumbled loudly. "Hello," she answered the call.

"Hello, is this Miss Catherine Walter?" a thick male voice asked.

"Who is asking?" Catherine sternly questioned back.

"I am Dr. Patrick from Mayflower Hospital. I'm calling regarding your mother, Mrs. Elena Walter."

Catherine froze, her eyes bulging out. "What-what about my mum? Is she okay?"

There was a pause on the other end. The kind that indicated that all might not be well.

"Your mother was rushed in fifteen minutes ago. Her neighbor found her unconscious and called 911. We've stabilized her, but we need you here, Miss Catherine."

"I-I will be on my way," Catherine spoke quietly, but she was knocked for a loop.

She turned off the oven, grabbed her car key, and headed out. As the city blurred past her car window, memories of her mum bubbled in her mind, and she sighed sadly.

At the hospital, she ran through the glass door, short of breath. "I'm looking for Elena Walter," she muttered to the woman at the reception desk.

The woman nodded calmly. "Dr. Patrick will meet you shortly. Please wait up in room 2."

Catherine bobbed her head, but her mind was nowhere near still. She sat, her eyes on the door, fists clenched as she prayed silently. Please, God, let my mother be fine.

In ten minutes, the door opened, and a middle-aged man in a white coat walked through. "Hello, you must be Miss Walter?"

"Yes, doctor."

"Your mother is fine now. She fainted, which was due to shock. But, she needs to rest, considering her blood pressure level and age." 

Catherine heaved a sigh of relief. "Okay, Dr."

"She will be discharged tomorrow. Please do your best to take care of her. You can go see her now, she's in ward 3, room 4."

Catherine nodded and thanked the doctor.

Catherine walked into the ward with a look of relief on her face. She quietly opened the door to room 4.

 Elena turned her head slowly. "My princess, hope I didn't scare you?"

Catherine hugged her mum tightly and muffled, "Thank goodness, you are fine. I can't imagine being in this world without you in it." She released Elena from her embrace and gently cupped her face, looking into her tired eyes, and asked. "Mum, the doctor said you fainted from shock. What happened?"

Elena's heart stopped for a second, thinking about what to say. She smiled and lied through her teeth. "It's nothing serious, princess. An old woman is bored. Give me grand babies and there won't be another fainting episode."

Elena threw her a smirk and they burst into laughter.

"Trust me, baby girl. Your mother is fine, you have no need to worry," Elena assured Catherine.

"Okay, mum. The doctor said you will be discharged tomorrow."

"I can't wait to leave here. I hate the smell of hospitals," Elena murmured as she turned to look through her window. She looked at Catherine immediately with concern written all over her face. "My princess, it's really dark outside. You need to get going now, make sure you come see me by the weekend."

"Okay, mummy. I will," Catherine embraced Elena and whispered in her ears. "I love you. It feels good to hear you laugh once again. Goodnight, mum."

Elena smiled and kissed her forehead. "I love you, too, princess."

As the door closes behind Catherine. Elena closed her eyes and let out a loud sigh. I really wish I had told Catherine about the letter, but I just couldn't. I didn't want her to panic, but I will find a better way to pass the warning.

Catherine cheerfully walked out of the hospital, driving back home. She arrived at her apartment and was just about pulling into her garage when a sudden, unexpected shadow in a hoodie appeared in front of her car.

Catherine gasped and freaked out.