Chapter 10

Was she murdered?

Peyton sighed. It was very hard to find out the truth of Glenda Farrell's death. How could she suggest Helene to tell her all of the secrets? 'Or ask all of our employees about her. Oh no! It sounds stupid and insecure. If the murderer is one of them, I would stir them up.'

"What are you thinking, sweet heart?"

Peyton was gasped. "Julian, you scared me to death. What are you doing here?"

"To see you - of course." He gave her a bouquet of Lilies and a box of chocolate, "Do you want to have lunch with me today?"

"They're beautiful. Thank you, but not today, how about tomorrow? I'm treating our employees to lunch today" Then Peyton tapped her front head. "Julian, you should come with us. So you'll have a chance to investigate them, especially Helene since she seems to know something."

"Helene, your pretty secretary? Wow! I'd like to get a chance to strike up an acquaintance with her." Julian laughed.

Peyton looked at her secretary. Helene looked pale and her voice trembled, "Peyton, can you help me?"

Peyton stood up and walked towards Helene. She held Helene's hand and led her to the sofa, "I'll do my best to help you. Tell me, dear!"

Helene's POV

Glenda Farrell seemed to be an insufferable and conservative person. Her hating any young and pretty woman and her fat and ugly appearance made me prejudice her at the first sight. I had thought that she was a jealous and selfish woman. But she was not. She treated me like her sister and sometimes she told me about her family and her life. Therefore, I knew that how hard she strove for her present success. Her family was very poor and she had to do some part time job to get money for her study. Furthermore, her poor dressing and her ugly appearance made her become a teased goal for many of her schoolmates. They called her nerd and no guy wanted to date her. The more she was teased, the more she became tougher. She hated the pretty girls because she noticed that most of them had no brain. She was proud of her intelligence since she was always on the top of her class and her school. I didn't know why she was kind to me. But one thing I knew that she was lonely and her secret dream was having a true love and her own family, although she never admitted that she did need a man to care for her.

About one year before her death, she suddenly became too happy and cheerful. It was strange since she rarely smiled. I tried to ask her many times, but she just smiled. "It's my secret. But I promise that you would be the first one to know about my good news, when I accomplish my task." She'd changed very much. She started wearing make up and bought a lot of expensive clothes that must have cost at least half of her savings. Although she didn't tell me her secret, I knew that her changing was related to a man. But who could make her be crazy like that and did he love her truly? I loved her as my older sister, so I didn't want any man to hurt her. She transferred to the investment department and was promoted to one of Mr. James Scott's managers because she was very talented in that aspect. I felt happy for her because her dream almost came true, a true lover and a successful career.

A day before she died, she was very excited. She told me, "Helene, I'll meet my lover tonight, I know he'll propose to me. If so, I'll tell you after coming home. Wait for my good news."

Although I knew she had a lover, I was still stunned when I heard about her marriage. "I can't wait. But who's your lover and future husband, Glenda?"

She shyly smiled, "I'll tell you later. Good bye Helene. If I don't hurry, I'll be late." She happily went outside.

I was waiting for her all night. But she disappeared for 2 days without any phone call. And her room was searched thoroughly by some one. I was very anxious and reported her missing to the police. Four days later, they found her body in a river. I was scared. Her lover seemed to be involved in her death. The police asked me about her, but I really didn't know any thing. I didn't want to mess with her death because I was afraid that I would be killed too. Therefore, I didn't tell them any thing. After her death, I moved to my brother's apartment.

Helene's tears fell down her cheeks. Peyton gave her soft tissues, "Why did you tell me now, Helene?"

"I don't know, Peyton. But I feel better now. I should tell police all of the information I knew to bring her a justice. I hated myself since I was such a coward." She looked at Peyton, "I know that you're not related to Glenda's death and your friend is a policeman, can you help me to open this case again?"

"I'll tell my friend. I promise. But Helene, try to remember what she was interested in or if she did something special before she died." Peyton asked.

Helene closed her eyes for several minutes. "I remember one thing, but I don't know if it's important. She liked to collect some news related to our company's scandal in 1984."

"Our company's scandal in 1984?" Peyton asked.

"Yes, it was the embezzlement and the vice president killed himself."

"Thank you, Helene. Your information is very helpful. I'll ask my friend to handle this case. But you shouldn't tell any body else about Glenda's death, ok? If not, your life could be endangered." Peyton said, holding Helene's cold hand.

After work, Peyton came to the central library and spent several hours to research their company scandal in 1984. She didn't get much information though. She discovered that David Milano and his wife; Alyssa Milano committed suicide after his embezzlement was discovered. They left their 2-month old daughter. 'Who took care of their daughter? And where is she now?' Peyton couldn't find any information about the girl. It seemed that the girl mysteriously disappeared from the earth after her parents' death.

She felt backache, and her vision was blurred. She left the library and crossed the street to come to her car. Suddenly, a car with high speed passed the red light, and ran towards her. She wanted to run, but she was frozen. Her feet seemly stuck on the road. She did nothing but closed her eyes. 'I can't die now; I have to tell him, I love him.'

Of course Peyton won't die but who will rescue her this time, and who is her "HE". So you have to read and find out in the next chapters. Thanks all.

Thanks sweet Emma...xoxo...