Ana's Daddy

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

I had been talking to nearly all of the youngsters; there was only one left on my list, and his name was Ethan Carter. I found him easily. It’s almost as if his friends had told him about me asking questions. The first young man was surprised when I introduced myself, although he hid it well. He and his friends seemed to be more than forthcoming in sharing everything they knew about Ana and her ex-boyfriend. Talking to Ethan was only routine after having been talking with the others. There wasn’t any new information. Ana’s boyfriend has cheated on her. I wouldn’t say it was shocking with a man in his twenties, but the gossip and shameless were the who he had cheated with. It was Ana’s professor, Elizabeth Richardson, who is married to the well-known surgeon, Gregory Richardson. Apparently they still have a thing going behind the back of Mr. Richardson. From what I heard, Ryan believes they are forever. The thought is such a silly notion. I have now realized that the man who opened the door at the address I was at. That was Ryan Roberts, and the whining slut was Elizabeth. It can’t be anyone else. From what I’ve been told, they display their mindless affections openly in front of students but are careful around other professors. The main gossip was about Ryan and Elizabeth, not much about Ana besides how Ryan treated her. I got some of Ana’s names online on social media; it could be useful for Shane.

I am sitting in the sofas in the secluded study area, waiting for Elinor. I can’t wait to hear what she learned. She threw herself on the sofa with a groan, looking bothered.

“Come on, sassy. Spill…”

“Fine, but it’s annoying as f**k!”

I start telling Donald about my interactions with the girls. They all had about the same information. It was in great detail about Ryan cheating and how poorly he treated her. Who he cheat with, and what he is up to now? Even how he tried to use Elizabeth’s name when he rushed into Shane Jensen’s office to suck up to him to get a job. It misfired. It earned him annoyance from Mr. Jensen and, in the end, caused him to leave without a job. What caused my annoyance was the feeling that these girls kept something from me. No matter how I tried, they would look at each other and then say there was nothing else to tell.

Donald looks at me and looks frustrated. He sighs and groans,

“Yes, I got the same feeling there is more to tell about this story of Ana and Ryan, but I couldn’t get anyone to tell me what. It’s like there is a secret, and no one will talk about it.”

I look at Elinor; we are both frustrated by this. Usually, we are a good tag team and get to the bottom of the truth. This time, we didn’t get it all. I don’t know where Ana is staying since the douchebag threw her out, and there is a secret in this story. We will find it. I told Ellinor we call it for the day and that I would talk to my client to see what he wants to do now. We are walking together towards our cars. The annoyance rolled off her in waves. Most times, it's hard to believe she is a teenage girl, 18 years old. She is a better and more responsible PI than some adults I know. She is impressive.

After said out goodbyes and parted ways and drove in different directions I drove to Shane’s office. I walk to his office without calling, as if I worked there and and was the exeption that never needed an appointment with him. In a way it’s true, I can just drop it and be welcome. I know he wanted a report as soon as I had something for him. It’s why I didn’t bother to phone him. I knock on the door to his office. I was starting to think he had an meeting because it was no reply for a full minute. He usually quickly answers. I hear Shane grumble come in; he is not happy. I hope my information will improve his day even though I wish I had a more complete picture for him. Still, there is a lot more info than he had before. Shane smiles when he sees me and offers me and offered me a drink. I know he doesn’t drink alcohol at midday, so he means coffee. I politely declined; I wanted to give him my report. I sit down in a chair across from him at his desk. I know everything that is in my papers by heart. I start to tell him everything I know. Shane leans back in his office chair and beams. I know the fact that Ana doesn’t have a boyfriend pleases him. I was upset when he thought she did when he saw her with a man at the college. I now come to the part where I tell him about her parents. I fall into silence for a few seconds, almost unbearable to both of us. I clear my throat and say, there is something more. And I start at the beginning to tell him about Jeffery and Eliana. Shane stopped me, “Why are you talking about my old friends that died?”

“Just let me tell you. Shane, please listen to what I have to tell you about them.”

When I finished, he sat there and lacked emotions in his face. I can tell Shane feels like he was hit by lightning. A pure bombshell knocks him over and says,

“Are you as stupid as me?”

“What do you mean Shane?”

“Ana, she looks just like her mother. I didn’t see the uncanny resemblance. Did you?”

“No, Shane, I did quite see it, or rather, I didn’t think about it. It's years ago Eliana died.”

Shane nods. He is smiling and weirdly looking guilty. I can’t imagine what is going on in his mind. I told Shane here’s the complete report if you want to read it later. Are there anything else you want me to do? To answer me he only shake his head.

I understand he has a lot to think about. I say goodbye and leave him to his thoughts.