Chapter 69: Chapter 69

CHAPTER 26

It's a few minutes after 4pm. I am back in C.I, making my way to my office. I enter and begin to close the blinds. I pack my hair in a bun and pick my bag. My eyes fall on the withering plant near the window. I go towards it and pick the small flower pot up. I'm about to trash it when I pause. I take out the voice recorder. I scan the small round object. "Avril Tech." I murmur, as I bring out my phone. I search for the company online, carefully replaying Luke's words in my mind. He had denied bugging my office. Was it the truth or another one of his dirty lies? I find the security company that made it. I call the number. There's no response. "I guess I'll have to find out for myself."

***

"Natalie Devaux Richardson." I say, dropping the destroyer voice recorder on the counter. "I have a favor to ask. Are you willing to help me?"

"Hello, ma'am. How may I help you today?" The boy responds.

"Find out who purchased this and when. Can you do that?"

He nods, "I'm sorry, I can't give out such information. Company policy."

I chuckle softly, "I think I can change your mind." I say, as I take a stash of £100 notes from my bag. I use my bag to cover the notes as I hand it over to him. There were cameras around. As I'd hoped, he greedily accepts the money.

"Give me a few minutes, ma'am." He says and I smile. I laughed at myself for mocking Judith's obsession with money when I was younger. Money was everything, money made the world go round, although, I wasn't as money crazed as Judith was.

"Caleb Davies." He responds, and I stand there, puzzled. I remember Luke's words, denying he bugged my office. These days, I couldn't tell whether or not Luke was lying but deep down, something wanted me to trust his words that he genuinely knew nothing about my office being bugged. Did Caleb act on his own or was he simply following Luke's orders?

"Thanks." I say, walking off.

****

I'd just gotten home. It is almost six in the evening. I'd called Lydia for assistance on my way home and she would probably be here any minute.

"Ashley, call the cook, please." I say, as soon as I enter. Ashley nods.

"I'd like to make an announcement. A rather impromptu one." I say, as soon as both women arrive. They look on. "We're moving. Today. Right now. Pack a few clothes for now, we can send someone over or come back for the remaining. Just pack a box or two as fast as you can."

The cook, Delores looks at Ashley. Ashley looks at her, then back to me. "I know you have so many questions, why we're moving, but, I promise, we're going to a much more bigger house."

"Did you just buy the new house?" Ashley asks.

"No, Ashley. Please, just get your box, okay?" I say, looking at my wristwatch. I needed to get to Shoreditch on time. I couldn't miss the rain.

***

I begin to pack a few of my work clothes and night wears. I could always come back for the rest. I rush to Louis’ room and get some of his clothes. Mostly his pajamas, onesies, sweaters and socks. I take a pack of diapers.

I rush to my study. The documents and files is gathered on Luke. Would it be smart to leave them behind or take them with me? I decide on carrying them along, so I take all of them, including my laptop.

The doorbell rings. I race to the living room, looking at my watch.

"Are you ready?" Lydia asks me, as soon as I open the door.

I nod, anxious. "I've never been more ready, my friend." I respond, images of the night Luke threw me out of the manor fresh in my mind.

**

We're loading the cars with the boxes and Louis baby stroller. Thankfully, Lydia had come with her SUV.

"I owe you a day off, hell, a week, month, year off. You need to enjoy, Lydia. You've been of so much help to me. Tomorrow, it's our day. The spa, manicures, pedicures, wine tasting, shopping and whatever else you might have in mind."

"It's long overdue. I look forward to it, Natalie." She responds, a smile on her face. It was the least I could do. She was a dear friend, ready to assist me at any point in time. She speaks again as some men approach us, I push Ashley who's holding Louis behind me. "I'm sorry, I forgot to mention. I got a security team. We're walking into the lion's den, might as well show you're a lioness yourself. Right?" I heave a sigh of relief. For a moment, I was scared.

"Quick thinking. Thank you. The manor is heavily guarded, so it's best we go with security. Are they armed?" I ask. Lydia Nods. I nod at the men. They're about 15 in number. I look up, and I can tell. It's about to rain. Heavily. We proceed to enter the car.

***