FOURTEEN

So I had toast bread and sandwiches for dinner and the following morning, I decided to go see Jerry in prison. I'd already had my bath and put on a red maternity gown. I was about grabbing my car keys when a knock sounded at the door. I wondered who that could be. I moved to the door and after looking at the peephole, I opened the door. It was William. He came in and closed it behind me.

"You don't just open the door to strangers, Rosie. " he said.

"Well, you're not a stranger. You are my brother " I said with a sweet smile. I was really happy to see him.

Although, He looked shocked when I acknowledged him as my brother.

"Rosie!!" he called out softly in a voice that brought tears to my eyes due to the pregnancy hormones.

"I'll spend the remaining days of my life living in regrets about my actions towards you and mum. I wronged you so much and it hurts my heart to even think about how you and mum managed all these... "

"Shhh!! " I hushed "To err is human but to forgive is... "

"Divine " We said together and laughed.

"I can never forget mum's favorite quote " he smiled. I held his two hands .

"I've forgiven you - all of you - long ago. God knows I trued to hate you but I just... couldn't "

On hearing that, he threw his hands round me and hugged me so tight. We sat down and talked about the things that has been happening during the past years. He told me his wife was having extramarital affairs and when he found out, things started to crumble. He didn't want to divorce her because of his children. He didn't want them to grow up without a mother and knowing that it was his fault they did so.

"But it wasn't your fault that Shana decided to cheat on you. " I said

"I pushed her to it Rosie. I dedicated myself to my job, both days and sometimes even nights. She wasn't entirely pleased with that and she couldn't put up with it "He said remorsefully.

"Well, that still doesn't give her the right to do so. So how did she finally leave? "

"I told you, after I caught her on our matrimonial bed with my boss at the insurance company I was working in, things weren't the same again. I left the company obviously and then got recruited by the LAPD. But before then, I couldn't look at her anymore without seeing her in bed with a man I took as a model. "

"It still isn't..."

I was interrupted by the unusual sound of his burner phone. I knew that was what he used to communicate with Julia. He answered it and switched to a neutral voice and maintained a straight face.

He looked at me and mouthed "The police " and he continued his conversation.

I wondered what might become of him if they get to find out what he's doing.

Finally he ended the call and looked at me.

"Be safe, William "

"I'll be fine. I'm just worried about you and my kids back at home, that's all. If anything comes up, I'll let you know "

I nodded and he left. I checked the time and it was 10:27am . I made macaroni and cheese and I decided to try one of Jerry's favorite dessert - apple pie and ice cream. I made it, with help from YouTube and then I drove down to the prison. I was told there that William had left, probably on a mission.

I spoke with Jerry and I told him in hushed tones that efforts were being made to get him out but I never mentioned that William or even Julia were on the case.

"How am I going to get out ? Sweetie, the evidence is clear " He said , the sadness in his voice palpable.

I held his hand and forced a smile "Hey. Don't you give up. I am not giving up on you. You'll be out soon and you'll be beside me when I finally put to bed. "

He looked at my stomach and smiled "how are the babies? "

I rubbed my belly "They're kicking so hard and are missing daddy. I'm having a doctor's appointment tomorrow "

He frowned unhappily. I stayed with him till my time was up and then I left, without any argument.

As I got outside, it was about to rain and so I quickly opened my car door. I then got a call from Julia.

"Rosie you won't believe this but I think I've gotten a clue. I hacked into Carla West's phone records and you won't believe what I saw. She has been making texts - never called - to a particular unknown number. I traced it to a person who from research, was her ex -boyfriend from high school. The texts weren't incriminating. They consisted of small chats, code words and abbreviations that I'm sure only both of them know. But on the supposed day of the murder , Carla West was spotted at a few distance from the Getty centre with her friend Sam Wilson and Dave Carson, the head of Carson and Sons Tech company, 80 minutes before the incident. If we only put two and two together, we could... "

I had what I needed.

I hung up the call.

I drove fast and straight back home. I took my laptop and typed in Carla West's residential address. For a serial killer, she lived in a very peaceful home in New York.

The time was 11:40 am, which means if I left now, I'll be in New York by 4 or 5pm. I packed a few clothes in a small travelling bag. There was no way I'll go to New York and return the same day. I decided to spend the night at Julia's place.

But I was going to confront Carla West first.

Enough of her madness!!

I took a few krav maga and self defense classes when I was younger and I planned to put my skills into practice, if the case scenario comes into place.

My phone rang again as I was about coming out. I didn't even glance to see who was calling. A text message by Julia followed. It read "Don't do something stupid, Missy. I know you're intentionally ignoring my calls. "

I didn't even bother to reply. I opened my car door and when I sat down, another message from Julia came in. It also read "Enough of this Rosie. I'm calling William"

I switched off my phone and drove off.

****

I knocked at the magnificent mansion tiredly. I was weak and tired from driving nonstop for 4 hours - the traffic was good. She opened the door and came out and I recognized her instantly. She looked beautiful, regretfully.

"Hi Roseline Winters. How have you been? " She smiled mischievously. Her smile was making me more angrier.

"How the hell do you even know me Carla? " I asked tapping my right foot on the floor impulsively.

"Why won't I remember the obsessive and over pampered wife who wouldn't let her husband be. I'm sorry about your husband though; I heard what happened. " She pulled a face.

It's all an act. I kept telling myself this but to be honest, she looked really harmless and I was beginning to have doubts.

I moves closer and looked her in the eye.

"Did you just hear what happened or you also know what happened ?"

Her face turned menacing instantly and she moved very close to me.

"You need to leave now. You've got a lot of nerve to even come here. You can't involve yourself in this battle. It is dangerous for you, considering the fact that you're heavily pregnant. Now get out of here before you end up the same way as your husband. "

I gaped at her with shock written all over my face and she shoved me out the gate. I put on a brave face, having got my answers.

Carla West was truly the brain behind my husband's unlawful arrest.

I drove to Julia's place but she wasn't home. I knew where she normally kept her key so I unlocked the door and got in, making myself comfortable.

I felt sharp contractions so I drove to All Saints hospital ,where I previously worked. My former colleagues were so glad to see me. They welcomed warmly and Gideon agreed to run tests on me. I was certified healthy; the babies were also okay.

I stayed for a while there, while they were filling me in on their adventures in the hospital and then later I went back to Julia's place.

Luckily she was back but was not alone. My brother William was with her.

"Since when did William and Julia start meeting behind my back? "I asked myself without expecting a reply.

"Hey sis" William said in surprise. "What are you doing here? Julia and I called your number but it's been switched off. You got us all worried. How did it go at the hospital ?"

I gasped.

"How did you know I was at the hospital? "

" I tracked your car's GPS . No offense Missy, but wherever you're concerned, I will do anything " Julia said. I nodded.

"Well. The babies are fine and I'm fine too "

"babies? You're having twins?" William's face was a mixture of surprise and excitement.

"Yeah. I thought you knew " I said.

He grinned excitedly. "That's wonderful news. Well little sis , there's been a new development. It's not much but at least, it's something we can work on. I managed to get in touch with Carla West's personal assistant and confidante. She's going to get Carla West to confess "

I went to the fridge and got two glasses and a bottle of champagne.

"How did you get her to turn against a person who trusts her? "

"Well. I did a lot of convincing and persuasion " he said

"How on earth do you expect me to believe that? " I asked him.

"Okay fine. Diane is my girlfriend. I've moved on from Shana."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "Even though you're dating her, does that guarantee success? Will she be more loyal to you than she is to Carla. How sure are you that she'll actually go through with it? What if she uses it against you and everything backfires and blows up in your face? "