CHAPTER 2

The pounding in my head woke me up the following morning. It was eight in the morning and I already felt like was going to be a long day. I miss waking up on Sunday morning to the yummy smell of pancakes and Stacie humming in the kitchen. That was then Danny. I reminded myself. Different time. Different kitchen. Thinking of pancakes, my stomach growled hungrily. I haven’t eaten much lately. I make myself a cup of coffee and toast while listening to my messages. There were two from my sisters. One from Matt. My closest friend and the last one from a person I did not recognize.

“Danny. This is Karen Miller. Iv been trying my best to get in touch with you for a while now. I was at your apartment in New York and I was told you don’t live there anymore. I’m really hoping to meet you and discuss something important. Please get back to me. “

Karen Miller? The name rang no bells. What’s this something important she wants to discuss with me?

“Penny for your thoughts? “a voice jolted me out of my pondering. I looked over and smiled at my sister who was standing in the doorway with her arms crossed. She came over and patted my shoulder as she looked around in the fridge.

“What are you doing here? “ I asked.

“You weren’t answering your phone. “ she answered while gulping down juice from the bottle.

“Iv been busy. “

She glanced at me and I could sense that she didn’t buy it.

“Right. Iv got to leave now. Try to call once in a while so that we know that you’re still alive. “

I mumbled and waved goodbye as she left through the backdoor. Susan wasn’t a sentimental person. For her to have come all the way here meant she really has been worried about me.

I was in need of a shower. It’ll help me feel better. My head was still pounding and couldn’t stop thinking about that badge. A knock at the door brought me back to earth

A woman with straight black hair and brown eyes stood outside clutching a bag and trying to peep through the keyhole. She was tall and very pretty.

“Can I help you? “

She jumped back and placed a perfectly manicured hand on her chest.

“I.. I'm looking for Danny. “ she replied nervously

“who are you? “

“I’m Karen. Karen Miller. “

********************************************

I sat down in the rocking chair in the corner and scanned this woman. She sat crossed-legged and looked around the room. I wondered what went through her mind as she looked around. She had on blue denim and a sweater that looked a little large for her. She cleared her throat really loudly and brought me out of my thoughts.

“I’m sorry to have come by like this. Iv been trying really hard to get in touch with you to no avail.” She spoke in a manner that made her look bossy and confident.

“Is there anything I can do for you, Ms. Miller? “ I was in a hurry to know what was so important.

“Right. I’ll get to it. And please call me Karen. I’m a journalist with Tyme media house and I was hoping to discuss Stacie’s death with you.”

I had mixed feelings going through my body as she spoke. I felt anxious, depressed, sad, and angry.

I felt my legs shake as I stood up and opened the door.

“Please leave.”

She looked at me in surprise but did not budge from the couch. Her red lips pressed together as she gawked at me.

“Danny.. “ she started.

“Please leave right now. I have nothing to say to you or anyone else from Tyme Media. I don’t want to discuss Stacie with you or anyone else.”

She stood up and picked up her bag and walked towards me.

“Look, I know you don’t know me at all. But I’m not one of the bad guys. When you’re ready to hear what I have to say, give me a call. You have my number. “

With those words, she processed to walk to a black car parked across the road and drove away.

I slammed the door in anger and scared the furr off Mittens’s back.

Standing under the warm shower. I gathered my thoughts and concluded that something sinister was happening and Stacie had somehow discovered it. What had Karen come to say? Should I have given her a chance to speak? Everything seemed so baffling. All I knew was that I want justice for the woman I love.

I gave Josh a call. Josh is a friend who worked with Stacie. I pretty much pulled away from everyone after she passed. I wasn’t sure he would answer the phone.

“Danny. What a surprise! “ his voice still deep and playful.

“Hi, Josh. It’s been a really long time, hasn’t it? “I replied.

“You’re telling me? How have you been and where have you been and what can I do you for? “

I smiled at his familiar goofy personality.

“Well, Iv been okay I guess and Iv been around. I’m calling to find out about a colleague of yours. Karen Miller. “

There was a pause before Josh spoke again.

“Listen man, I don’t know how you know Karen but I think it’s best to stay away from her. “

“Why? “I enquired..

“Karen worked here until last week. She suddenly started investigating Stacie’s death and concluded that it was a cover up murder. “

I had goosebumps. I couldn’t get another word out as I let Josh speak for what seemed like forever. All I heard was “cover-up murder. “

I hung up without saying another word or saying goodbye to Josh. I suddenly wanted to speak to Karen again. What did she know?

Karen’s POV.

Danny looked nothing like I imagined he would look. In front of me sat a handsome man possibly in his mid or late thirties. Brown hair, blue eyes that could pierce right through one’s soul. Very tall. I looked around his living room. Very dull. A TV sat on one end, a large leather brown sofa occupied most of the room. A wooden rocking chair and a coffee table where the only other furniture in the room. My eyes met his but it looked like he was in deep thought.

I cleared my throat really loudly to snap him out of it.

“I’m sorry to have come by like this. Iv been trying really hard to get in touch with you to no avail. “

He cut to the chase and wanted to know why I was there. I tried my best not to freak him out and make sure he gives me a chance to explain what I wanted. As I had suspected the man was not interested and showed me the door before I had a chance to really talk to him.

I had been hoping to hear from him all weekend but nothing. The telephone rang and startled me. I spilled my coffee and cursed as I rushed to grab it.

“Hello? “I answered

“Yes. It’s Danny. I’m willing to meet if you still want to talk to me.

“Uhmm... Yes of course. Sure”I quickly replied before he could change his mind.

“This afternoon at peak connect? “ he asked.

“that’s perfect. See you then. “

Peak connect was a famous coffee house that most people in New York knew about. I looked down at my finger that had turned red from the coffee I spilt. I quickly packed away my laptop and took a shower. I had a few things to do before meeting Danny. As a journalist, I tried to gather my questions and thoughts already. I had many questions that I wanted to ask him. I first had to quickly stop by the office and return my access card. I quickly walked through the lobby and shouted “hold the lift” as it was shutting. The person inside held the doors open as I dashed in.

“Josh. “

“Karen. “

We awkwardly looked at each other for a brief moment and pretended the other was invincible. Our offices were on the fourteenth floor.

“I hear you’ve been speaking to Danny. “ he said

“I have. Is there a problem? “

He looked at me and flashed a goofy smile.

“No. No problem at all. Except maybe leave him alone. He’s been through hell since Stacie passed and I think he’s only just coming to terms with it now. He doesn’t need a reminder. “

As the doors opened to the busy floor, he walked away without another word.

“Okay. “ I mumbled and hurried to hand over my card.

Patrick sat in his leather chair and pretended to be busy as I approached his office.

“Got a minute? “ I asked..

“sure. What can I do for you? “

“Iv just come to return the access card and I’ll be out of your hair.” I said as I placed it on his table and began to walk out.

“Things did not have to end this way, Karen. You can always come back as long as you drop the Stacie story. “

“And what kind of journalist would that make me? I very much rather be jobless than hide the truth. “

I arrived at peak connect right on time. Danny was already there. I hurried over to where he sat and ordered an Americano. He looked at me and said nothing.

“I hope you havnt been waiting for too long.” I started..

“What do you know about Stacie’s death? “ his question was abrupt but expected. I nervously looked around to ensure that there wasn’t anyone who looked suspicious and finally answered.

“I know it wasn’t an accident. “ I said.

I could have sworn I saw a hint of shock in his piercing blue eyes. He leaned closer almost as if to look closer in my soul. He smelled of shaving cream. His voice almost a whisper as he said

“Ho..how do you know that? “

I explained that I was an intern at Tyme media at the time of Stacie’s death and knew she was working on an important case. As an investigative journalist I admired her work and wished to know her more. When she suddenly died, I started to dig around and uncovered some things that somebody somewhere was working really hard to keep hidden to the point of ensuring I lose my Job. Danny sat in a daze and took it all in. He looked like he would pass out at any moment. He lifted a shaking hand and took a sip of his now cold coffee.

“What was Stacie working on? “ he asked. His voice was much more stable now.

“She was investigating an adopting agency. “ I replied. He looked puzzled for a moment and when he finally spoke he said,

“Why in the world would she investigate an adopting agency? “

“Because Danny.. Stacie was adopted through that agency.

Danny laughed..

“No. You’re mistaken. Stacie was not adopted. “

I looked at him as I remembered Josh’s words in the elevator, he doesn’t need a reminder.

But he deserved to know the truth.

“She wasn’t just adopted Danny. “

“She was stolen at birth. “