Part 17: Cross Examination
Didi glanced up and down the street as she finished lacing her hiking boots. No one seemed to be around, so she quickly locked her hired SUV and crossed the road to a vacant block.
Ten minutes of searching through the chaotic mess of tall grasses and weeds at the rear of the lot finally revealed a narrow pathway. She followed its equally overgrown trail for about forty minutes until it tapered to an end.
Above her, a house was built into the side of the hill, offering a spectacular easterly view of the valley.
After she'd left Adama, she's been overcome with a sense of disquiet. It was the neatness of his cabin; the books scattered around the living room in pairs; and most incriminatingly, the distinctly feminine pair of plastic oval reading glasses sitting on the stand by the front door. Adama had been wearing a different pair of wire-rimmed spectacles.
Mrs Jenkins, who owned the local store, was only too willing to encourage any suspicions. Adama did indeed buy completely unexpected items occasionally. He'd mentioned his daughters when she'd noted it once, but she was yet to meet these young women. The shopkeeper did know his old friend Doctor Cottle, however, who visited about once a month. He'd drop in to buy cigarettes. Terrible habit, you know.
Mrs Jenkins also agreed wholeheartedly that Adama had built his house in a curious manner, very isolated. Although, there was a way of getting to it which wasn't marked on any official map.
Didi's attention came back to the here and now when she heard the unmistakable deep voice of the man she'd visited a few days ago. She eased backwards, attempting to camouflage herself amongst the vegetation.
"I know what you're going to say, Laura. He's your son."