Back at the office, I sit with my team at the round table, surrounded with boxes and boxes of donuts, discussing the next steps. We made a list of people she knew, for we will need to have a chat.
- Jane Anne - the neighbour
- Jennifer Parker - the sister
- Wade Parker - the brother
- Christian Wayne - the boyfriend
- Jason Wilde - the boss
We decided to split up and meet each one separately. Given that I've met her once, I took Jane Anne.
Jane has two lively boys, and her apartment proved just how lively they are. Its bright yellow walls are decorated by the arts of a 3-year old's doodles. The area that looked spacious in Sarah's apartment, here looks cramped with the toys thrown around everywhere. However, lucky us, there is a sitting area that looks out of place, seems it had been hastily cleared up earlier. It consists of a bright green couch and two purple sitting chairs with a coffee table sitting between them. Quite the bright colour mix!
Jane invited me in, knowing exactly what I came for. Despite the cleared up space inside, we opted to sit in the balcony that had a similar view of Sarah's, drinking a cup of hot tea. Too hot really!
"Sarah rented the apartment next door about four years ago. I was pregnant with Adam, my youngest, back then. She was very supportive, helped me out after his birth, till I could manage on my own.
It was here that she got the job as Jason Wilde's PA. She was very lucky to land a place at that organization as her first job. Although, I wouldn't bank it on luck, given how smart she was. The photo I took of her that day, still stands on her mantel piece.
That job, though, it took most of her time. I was shocked the first time she came home with a man. It made it easier to compreehend when I knew they worked together.
I knew she loved to paint. When though, that I couldn't understand.
She was very successful and ambitious. Gained the trust of everyone around her very easily."
I listened to every word she said closely with interest and wonder.
"How long was her relationship with her boyfriend?", I inquired.
"Well," she sighed thoughtfully, "They started dating two years ago. Quite the love story, it seemed. They never left each other, and when they did, their phones were really busy" she laughed. "We were waiting for the big day any time." She sighed sadly.
Well, that explains the tremendous amount of fashion magazines!
"How about her family?"
"She moved here after her parents died in a car crash. She never talked about them much. Her brother lives with his wife and kids in Washington DC, given his job as a politician. Her sister is a free spirit. Every other month, she would send a post card from a new city. They would gather on occasions, though!" she said thoughtfully. "They always gathered in their parents' house. They wanted to "keep them alive" as she would put it."
Hmm... "keep them alive"... that's ironic!
"Any problems at work?"
"She was very successful, at a very young age. People must be jealous, I guess. I wouldn't say problems, though. She just mentioned feeling uneasy with some of her coworkers, sometimes."
"Any drugs or other habits, perhaps?"
"None that I know of! She was not that kind of person." She swiftly answered, afronted by my question.
Sounds like a peaceful and happy life! But that goes against the way it ended!!
I bid Jane goodbye and decided to call it a day.
Tomorrow, I meet with my team to start building up our puzzle, with the pieces we collected.
I went home, so tired and went directly to bed. Little did I know, I will not get my rest, for I had a visitor that night too.
Sarah visited me again that night. Only, it was more like watching a movie!
I can see people, lots of people, bustling around, running left and right everywhere, busy. This office is huge, maybe the size of my whole apartment. The walls are made of glass, I am not sure if the door is open or removed all together. The people streaming in and out are not giving me a chance to see! Right across from the entrance is a wide mahogany, well-polished desk, that screams someone important. That being the pepper-haired man sitting behind it, shouting through the phone. And standing next to him, is Sarah, vigorously scribbling something down.
Despite the fact that he is shouting, I can't hear what he is saying!
What I can hear, though, is a small crowd, gathered in a corner, whispering. They hate the new girl, it seems. How did she gain the boss's trust so fast? He never trusts anyone! Despite being the newest member of the team, she is getting promoted at an inhumane speed, surpassing them all.
I can't hear any more, but from their looks, I can see them plotting how to take her down, cunningly, painfully, in a way she wouldn't recover.