Chapter 22 - Proof Against Them

Rachel went and hugged her bed and her pillow as soon as she entered her room, she really missed her home and cursed herself for running away. She then went and had a hot shower bath. She dressed up in a casual green t-shirt and blue jeans and let her wet hair open.

Rachel entered the dining room and said "Grandpa I am feeling very hungry let us eat lunch".​​

Grandpa asked the cooks to cook all Rachel's favorite dishes for lunch, white sauce pasta and baked lasagna with toasted bread, cheese nachos and Red Wine. When Rachel saw the lunch she became very happy, "thank you so much grandpa, you are the best"

Grandpa was happy to see everything going back to normal and with his cheerful granddaughter on his side he doesn't need anything else, her happy smile is enough to improve his mood.

These three people happily had their lunch then Michael said before leaving "James we are meeting for brunch this sunday afternoon, don't forget "

"Of course how can I, I am the one hosting it" James chuckled.

Michael smiled and bid adieu to both Rachel and James and left.

Rachel and grandpa then when to sit on the couch in the living room, grandpa wanted to talk about the last three months but was hesitating how to start the topic without triggering Rachel, just then realising what grandpa wanted to say and was not able to Rachel said in a sad voice, "sorry grandpa, I have made a big mistake. I shouldn't have run away from the house".

Grandpa was happy she is ready to talk about it and she too regrets this decision which implies she would never run away again, his heart ached thinking what did she go through.

He asked her in a worried tone "what happened in these three months? Where were you? I felt very terrible for our fight and when I came to apologise you were gone. I asked Robert to search for you. I told everyone that you went for a business trip, only my two best friends know the reality. I didn't want to implicate your name so I didn't go to cops as I thought it is a personal matter and cops will only blow it up".

Rachel said "sorry grandpa because of me you have gone through a lot of trouble. I have made a huge mistake, instead of running away from you I should have talked to you."

Grandpa said "where have you been? I got relieved when you called me and said that you are coming back since then I was eagerly waiting for you. He continued " I have cursed myself for landing you in this situation".

Rachel said "no grandpa, you don't blame yourself. I have realised how protective you are towards me and took a lot of care of me. I have realised after reaching Peebles, a small town, that I can't live without you. So I thought to return in two days as the place was peaceful and calm. I thought about visiting some tourist places and will be back by two days. I decided to talk to you and convince you…"

She then went into complete silence for a while, as she recollected those memories she was traumatized for a second.

Grandpa patted her shoulders asked "what happened my dear? why have you blanked out for a second?"

Rachel came into senses, hugged grandpa, " I miss you grandpa...I miss you. I was worried about you when I read the murder incident in the paper".

Grandpa with a confused expression "what are you talking dear, why are you shivering? What murder?"

Rachel said in a fear tone that "There was an article in the paper which said in a nearby town of Peebles, an old single man was killed and this case was a part of the serial killings happening across Europe where old, single, rich men were being killed, so I got worried about you and decided to return home soon. Also, in Peebles I met a guy named Andrew who guided me there so I decided to ask him about the geography but then I witnessed who was the culprit behind the serial murders. It was Andrew and his girlfriend. Grandpa I heard that that person was discussing his murders with his girlfriend. They both have planned all murders till now related to an old man with single status. When they saw me hearing them they tried to kill me."

Grandpa was shocked and stood at once and shouted "what?"

"They trap old people who were rich and staying alone, they murder them and elope with money. When I went to his house, I listened to everything. To get rid of me , he pushed me into the river. They thought I was dead. Some fishermen saved me and admitted me to the hospital. Dr Daniel took care of me as I was in the coma for three months. When Andrew and his girlfriend came to know that I was alive they used to visit me and even tried to kill me. Doctor protected me from them and after hearing my tragic story he assured me that he will help me to reach you."

Rachel thought that she should not tell about the attack that happened on the way to London as her grandpa is already panicked by hearing her story.

Rachel came to senses as grandpa was calling her.

Grandpa said "you have gone through a lot of trauma. You should rest for a few days."

Rachel said "grandpa, I am planning to file a complaint about those criminals. I am planning to join the office from monday".

Grandpa "you don't have any proof against them, how could you complain?"

"I have to at least inform the cop whatever information I know about criminals, to save innocent people. "

"You are right, but you should be more careful."

She said "don't worry grandpa, you know about me. I will ask cops to keep my name secret and tell them to collect proof against them".