ABIGAIL INOCENCIO - CHAPTER 75&76

••••
{ THELMA IS MISSING }

“You don’t need to know. Thanks for your time, Dr. Sandra. Always stick around because you can be called to the station for questioning at any time.”
______

~FLASHBACK~

<THE NIGHT TARA DIED★SANDRA’S HOUSE>

Sandra stood in front of the full length mirror, staring at herself. She was wearing an all-black attire, including a black face cap.

“Do I really have to do this?” She asked herself, moving her gaze down to the syringe filled with a substance that laid on the cosmetic table.

She shook her head, biting her lower lip. “What if I get caught? What then happens?”

The pace of her heartbeat was unusual. She was d@mn scared of what she is about to do. Maybe she should reconsider this whole thing and not do it anymore.

But then again, she promised Marshall that she would teach Dr. Abby a very big lesson and make her feel so much pain.

She loves Marshall so much and she is willing to do anything that will make him rely on her and see how much he means to her.

Sandra sucked in a deep breath, momentarily closing her eyes.

“I can do this. Besides, it’s not like the child is going to die. It’s just to make her unconscious for a few hours. That’s all.” She let out another breath. “It’s more like an experiment? I don’t know if that’s the best way to put it but I just want to see how shattered Dr. Abby will be when her dear patient doesn’t respond to treatment or look as good as dead.” That brought a smile to her face as she imagined the look of despair on Abigail’s face and it gave her the confidence she was once lacking.

Sandra picked up the syringe and slipped it inside the pocket of the black leather jacket she was wearing.

“Let’s see who have the last laugh, Dr. Abby. I will make sure to take a photo of your anguish.” With that being said, she left the room and the house, heading towards the hospital on public transport.

••••

<SANTOS HOSPITAL>

Sandra sneaked her way into the hospital, keeping her head low to avoid being seen.

Initially, today was her day off and that could help her escape suspicion.

Dr. Abby might believe that something suspicious happened. Because obviously, Tara was healthy and can’t just lose consciousness or die. However, neither she nor Marshall will be a suspect because today was their day off.

Sandra eventually arrived in Tara’s ward. She turned the doorknob open and strolled inside the ward, shutting the door quietly behind her.

The girl should probably be asleep due to the fact that there was no movement at all on the bed.

Sandra moved closer to the bed and stood over the teenage girl that was indeed asleep.

“It’s not going to hurt, darling. Okay?” Sandra mumbled under her breath, taking out the syringe from the jacket pocket. “I’m sorry but not sorry.” She injected the substance inside the IV drip and took a step back, watching the girl that still didn’t move.

“Is it taking effect?” She asked herself, confused to why the girl wasn’t jerking from the impact of the liquid running through her system until she drop unconscious.

“Hey, little girl,” She poked the child’s cheek… Still nothing. “Oh, f-__-k.” She checked the pulse of Tara and discovered that she wasn’t breathing. “$h|t. $h|t. $h|t. What have I done?” She quickly pulled the IV injection from the back of Tara’s hand and pushed it aside, performing CPR, but there was no miracle.

Sandra mouth was hanging open as she backed away from Tara, her legs trembling from fear.

“She is dead,” She whispered, looking around the room.

There was a bouquet of red flower, sachet of chocolates and candies, an empty bottle and other goodies on the floor.

Tears trailed down Sandra’s face but she quickly wiped it off and rose to her feet.

“No, I can’t remain here. I can’t get caught in here.” She snatched the syringe from the ground and rushed out of the ward but as fate would have it, she bumped into Thelma.

“Oh, my God!” They both squeaked at the same time, least expecting to see the other. “What are you doing here?” They asked in synchronization.

Sandra let out a deep breath, looking back at the room she just came out from.

She doesn’t want to act or look suspicious or else Thelma will know something is wrong and decide to raise alarm.

She have to be brave. Sandra released a quiet breath, building her self courage and boldness.

Thelma watched her closely, raising a questioning brow.

“Dr. Sandra, why are you here?”

“Why can’t I be here?” Sandra retorted, clearing her throat. was she doing a good job in seeming less suspicious?

“Well, because today is your day off. You should be resting at home.” Thelma responded, looking at Sandra as if she was being stupid.

“I came here to get something, okay?”

“Dressed…like that?” Thelma eyed Sandra from head to toe, frowning.

“What is wrong with the way I dressed, Nurse Thelma?” Sandra fired back in anger, rubbing her sweaty palms over her black trousers and looking back once again. She was $h|t scared about been discovered. “Listen I don’t have the time to stand here and discuss pointless things, okay? I have something much more important to take care of. Now get out of my way.” She pushed Thelma aside and walked out of the hospital, not daring to look back because she knows for sure that Thelma was still staring at her retreating figure.

She has ki||ed a patient. She ki||ed Tara. What was she going to do now?

~FLASHBACK ENDS~

<COFFEE SHOP>

Emma and Sandra stepped out of the shop at the same time.

Sandra was already heading towards her car when Emma asked a question from behind, stopping her from walking away.

“I forgot to ask,” She paused. “What was the name of the substance you injected into Tara’s IV drip?”

“Chloroform.” Sandra answered.

“Where is the syringe now? Do you still have it?”

“I…uhm…” She coughed slightly. “I threw it into the ocean.”

“You threw it away?”

“I’m sorry. I was afraid of getting caught. And holding onto the weapon could implicate me.” She explained.

“You are unbelievable, Sandra.” Emma shook her head in disappointment. How can a so-called doctor do something as evil as this to an innocent patient just to spite their colleague? Even if Sandra isn’t the actual ki||er, she still need to be punished for what she did.

“I know.” Sandra stated, feeling remorseful.

“But it’s a good thing you finally decided to confess.”

Sandra only nodded her head. “And oh, as for Thelma,” She stepped closer to Emma. “She only kept quiet because Marshall asked her to.”

“Obviously. You think I don’t know that already? You and Marshall asked her not to say anything.”

“Actually, his original plan was for Thelma to claim that she saw Dr. Abby that night, dressed in an all-black attire. But the nurse couldn’t do it.”

≤!≥One of the absentee doctors dropped by the hospital that night dressed in an overall black attire≤!≥ Emma remembered Thelma’s words.

‘So, her intention was to set Abby up.’ Emma thought to herself.

“Listen, I regret my actions and I’m ready to receive wh@??ver punishment given to me.” Sandra said.

•••••

<MARSHALL’S HOUSE>

“Greg! Thomas!” Felicia called out to her kids from downstairs. “Hurry up, you two. I’m sure you don’t want to go to school late.”

“We are coming, mom!” Thomas replied.

“Madam, breakfast is ready.” The maid announced, her head lowered.

“Thank you, Tricia.”

“You are welcome, madam.”

“Have you eaten?” She asked.

Tricia shook her head slowly. “Not yet. But I will eat after you’ve all eaten.”

“You don’t need to do that, dear. You can go and eat your food, okay?”

“But…” The maid shook her head. “I can’t go and eat when you all haven’t eaten. What if you need me to serve the food? What if_”

“I can serve the food myself, Tricia. You don’t have to worry yourself. Now go.” Felicia stated.

“Madam_”

“Tricia!” Felicia called sternly, giving her the ‘don’t argue with me’ look. “I will serve myself and children. Stop arguing with me.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I will leave now.” Tricia bowed her head and then went into the kitchen.

A few seconds later, Greg and Thomas descended the stairs, already dressed for school. Greg was nine years old while Thomas was ten years old.

“How many hours would it take the both of you to get ready for school, huh?” She groaned, leading them to the large dining room.

“It’s Greg’s fault. He refused to get out of his bathroom on time and made me wait for him.” Thomas said, throwing a glare at his brother’s direction.

“You liar. You insisted on waiting for me. I didn’t ask you to.” Greg retorted, matching his brother’s glare.

“You_” Thomas was going to reply but his mother cut him off immediately before the little argument will result into a big fight.

“Shut up the both of you and sit down.” She ordered and they quickly did as she said. “Thomas, why were you waiting for him?”

“Because I know that no matter who gets down first, he will still wait for the other person.” He replied.

“You know what? There is no need for you to fight each other. Just eat your food so that I can take you to school.” She said and started dishing out their food.

Marshall stepped out of the guestroom and approached them. He was prepared for work.

“Good morning, Dad.” His sons greeted him.

“Good morning, boys.” He replied, smiling at them. “How was your night?”

“Fine!” They answered.

“Dad, why were you coming out from the guestroom? Did you sleep over there?” Thomas asked.

“Uhm… well, I mistakenly fell asleep there.” He lied, taking a seat at the head of the table.

Felicia dished out everyone’s food, including Marshall’s. And by the time they finished eating, she called Tricia to clear the table.

“Let’s get going, boys.” She told her sons, grabbing her handbag from the couch and her car keys.

“I can drop them off,” Marshall offered but she ignored him, focusing her attentions on Thomas and Greg as they hurriedly picked up their schoolbags and rushed out of the house.

“Honey,” Marshall tried to touch her just as she was about leaving the house as well.

“Don’t you dare.” She snarled. “I told you to keep out of my business while I do the same with yours, didn’t I?”

“Felicia, you can’t keep acting this way towards me. I know you are mad at me and yes, you have every right to be but_”

“Shush.” She interrupted him. “Wait, you don’t expect me to stand here and discuss about your infidelity, do you? My sons are out there, waiting for me to take them to school. Stop distracting me, Marshall. I am not ready to have stupid discussion with you.” She stormed out of the house afterward.

“It’s over for me.” Marshall mumbled under his breath, balling his fist in frustration. “I just hope she doesn’t tell her parents… or even Jersey about this.” He ruffled his hair, releasing a loud groan. “f-__-k, I’m doomed!”

••••

<STATION ★ 9:10 AM>

“Here you are,” Robert stated as Emma strolled inside the office. “Good morning,”

“Good morning.” She responded. “How are you doing?”

“Good. You?”

“Same here. I’m sorry for the way I responded to you this morning. You should know how much I h@?? when someone wakes me up from my beauty sleep.”

“When duty calls, you have no choice but to wake up on time, Emma.” He said.

“I know.” She pouted. “Where is Ginny?”

“In her father’s office.” He simply answered.

They both sat down.

“What is she doing there?”

“He called her over to his office. Neither of us knows why.”

“Oh. I see.”

It was silent for a few minutes.

“I have two news for you… One is good news and the other is a bad one. Which one do you want to hear first?”

Emma hesitated before answering,

“The good news,”

“Okay. So,” He slide a brown envelop towards her across the table and leaned back into his seat. “the autopsy result is out and_” His voice trailed off as he waited for Emma to open the envelop and read the result herself.

By the time she finished going through the result, there was a small smile on her face.

“Minty died of thallium poison. We were right.” She muttered.

Robert smiled and nodded his head.

“Yeah. That is a huge step forward. Now we know what kind of poison were used to ki|| the victims.”

“Hmm. Although we have to run another test on the previous victims. To be extra sure.”

“Weren’t they all buried?”

“Four of them was buried while the last one wasn’t. His wife refused to closed down the case. She is determined to find the cause of her husband’s death so she didn’t bury him.”

“A courageous woman, I must say.”

≤!≥ Smart, Ambitious, beautiful, amazing, loving and courageous ≤!≥ She remembered Richard’s words.

“Uhm, do you see every woman as courageous?” She asked.

Robert creased his brows, not expecting that question.

“Well, if a woman is courageous then I will compliment her for that. Why are you asking?”

She shook her head. “No. Nothing. I was just asking.”

“Okay?” He doesn’t know whether he should believe her or not. However, he decided not to push it.

“Anyway, we are going to carry out another autopsy on him. If he is tested to have traces of Thallium poison then we will be hundred percent sure that that is the poison used by the ki||er.”

“You’re right.”

“That reminds me, I spoke to Sandra this morning,” Emma informed.

“You did?” She nodded her head. “Why?”

“Well, she sent a text to Abby, requesting that they meet up this morning.”

“Hold on, was it her you went to meet in the coffee shop?” He asked.

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wanted to have the conversation first with her. Besides, I am going to tell you what I discussed with her now, aren’t I?” She scoffed.

“You still should have told me.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

He sighed. “It’s fine. As long as you don’t keep more secrets from me.”

“Secrets?” She chuckled. “Aren’t you exaggerating this a little bit?”

“Wh@??ver. I don’t care. So what happened? What did she say?”

“I went there instead of Abby. Although Abby doesn’t know about what I did. Yet. I’m going to tell her so she doesn’t feel like I betrayed her or something.”

“Yeah, you should.” He nodded in agreement.

“Anyway, I went there and she told me her reasons for going to the hospital that night. She confessed, Robert.” She drew her phone out of her pocket and tapped on the play icon, dropping the phone on the table.

Sandra’s voice filled the office. Emma made a recording of her conversation with the doctor. She doesn’t want to take any chances.

Sandra might have willingly confessed today but what about tomorrow? What if she denies ever telling her anything? Well, she has proof and have nothing to worry about.

••••

<SANTOS HOSPITAL★PARKING LOT>

Sandra’s car suddenly rolled to a stop when someone jumped out of nowhere, in front of her car.

“Holy $h|t.” She gasped out, looking straight ahead to see Marshall. “What the f-__-k is wrong with him?”

She quickly alighted from the car and rushed to meet him, breathing heavily.

“What is your problem? Do you want to die?” She snapped.

“We need to talk.” He said.

“Was that why you jumped right in front of my car? Are you mad?”

“Insult me all you want, Sandra. We still need to talk.” He repeated.

Sandra eyed him, disgustedly and went back to her car. She turned off the engine before returning to him.

“As much as I know you have nothing reasonable to say, I am going to still give you the benefit of the doubt.” She stated, crossing her arms over her chest. “What is it?”

“Talk to my wife and take back your words to her. Tell her that you lied yesterday and_”

“I knew this was what you were going to say. You are so shameless, Marshall. How did I fall for a foolish man like you? I should take back my words to your wife? How about you un-f-__-k me then? Huh?”

“What?”

“Stop playing dumb, jerk. Why are you acting like I lied to your wife? I only told her the d@mn truth. You have been cheating on her!”

“She doesn’t have to know that.” He grunted.

“Listen, I don’t want to fight with you, Marshall. I don’t have the energy or the strength. Just get out if my way so that I can park my car and go into the hospital. To work.”

“If you don’t do as I say, I will tell the cops everything about that night. I swear.” He thr_@tened.

Sandra started laughing, confusing him.

“Why are you laughing? Does it look like I’m telling a joke?”

“Of course, you are. In fact, you are a comedian and you should be paid for a job well done.” She grinned. “Are you going to keep thr_@tening me like this? Don’t be stupid. What am I even saying? You are already stupid.”

“What…aren’t you scared of the cops finding out the truth? You ki||ed Tara.”

“I already confessed.”

His face dropped. “Wha…wha…what?”

“And there is a possibility that I didn’t ki|| Tara. Anyway, the cop already know what I did. So stop with the thr_@t now. They don’t faze me.” She took out her phone and captured the look on his face, laughing. “You look like $h|t! What? Are you surprised that you got beaten in your game?”

“What…how…why…when?”

“Don’t be surprised, honey. Remember I told you, I will do the unthinkable to protect what I love. I love myself, Marshall and I am more than ready to protect me from you. Now, get out of my way.” She headed back to her car and opened the door but didn’t get in yet. “And oh, I made sure to tell them who my accomplices were. You and Thelma should get ready for questioning in the station alongside me.”

•••••

<STATION>

“Wow.” Robert sighed as he finished listening to the recording. “I can’t believe she would go this far just to spite a colleague.”

“I know, right? She and Marshall just h@?? Abby for no reason.” Emma said. “I think I will bring Thelma and Marshall in for questioning.” She looked at him. “That reminds me, what about the bad news?”

“The bad news is somewhat related to Thelma…”

“What happened?” She frowned, noticing the uneasiness from him.

“Thelma is missing.” He proclaimed.

“What!?”

TBC.