9
The first thing they noticed when they pulled into the parking lot at TW Foods was how busy it was. There were a few reporters around, but no police cars. And all the cars that were here when they came a few days ago, they were still here too.
It didn't look like anyone had taken the day off to deal with the death of a colleague, but in industries like this, she was replaceable.
Daphne was surprised that she'd found a parking space. The two climbed out of the car and walked towards the building.
At the front of the parking lot, almost right next to the building, was a single parking space where a Porche Taycan was parked. The license plate read THE0 W1L
'Wanna bet this is Wilkins' car?' Fred commented.
There was chatter in the distance, but they heard footsteps approaching and a figure appeared around the corner.
He stopped in his tracks when he saw them. Briefcase in one hand and his blazer folded over the other arm. His mousy brown hair was combed back with enough gel to keep it in place for days.
He wore an expensive suit, Daphne thought. Her father wears a similar one.
'Can I help you?' He asked as he stepped closer to his car.
'Are you Theodore Wilkins?' Daphne asked. Based on the bags under his eyes, she guessed he had been having a few sleepless nights.
'Yes, of course. What can I do for you? Are you reporters?' Theodore Wilkins asked.
'I'm Daphne Blake and this is my partner, Fred Jones.' Daphne began, 'We're working for the Washington Post.'
'I'm not talking to anyone about the Hopkins girl.' Theodore said as took his car keys from his pocket and unlocked his car.
He threw his briefcase and blazer carelessly onto the passenger seat. When he closed the door, Daphne noticed how his hands were shaking.
'We just wanted to ask a few questions about Jenny, we're trying to put together her last few days.' Daphne explained.
'She worked here, she went home. She went missing, and now she's dead.' Theodore said callously with a quick smile before his face went back to the misery he was displaying.
'I didn't have anything to do with Jenny's murder.' Theodore spoke darkly.
'I didn't say you did.' Daphne stated and she gave Theodore a stern look, sick of his bad temper and coldness.
In an attempt to be intimidating, Theodore took a step towards Daphne, 'Listen,' He began and he almost prodded her with his index finger, but Fred stepped in with a scowl and Theodore backed off.
Theodore loosened his tie and he sighed, 'Alright, Jenny Hopkins works hard, really hard. Up until a few months ago and I got word that she was slacking and causing problems.'
'What kind of problems?' Daphne asked.
Theodore shrugged, 'Falling behind on her work, not listening to her staff and what have you.'
'And you "got word" of this?' Daphne asked, 'By who?'
'The line manager of the department.' Theodore said quickly, 'I've answered your questions and now I'm leaving. You two should do the same too.'
Theodore climbed into his car and quickly sped away from the warehouse.
'He's hiding something.' Daphne said.
'Yep. Good thing I recorded the whole thing.' Fred said with a smile, he pulled out his phone and showed Daphne just as he switched off the voice recorder.
'What would I do without you.' Daphne smiled and they began to walk back to Daphne's car.
'Well, Rosie was right,' Fred said, 'It seems nobody can be trusted.'
Daphne nodded. Then she looked at her watch, 'He's leaving early.'
'Huh?' Fred asked, he pulled up the directions for Franklin Square on Google Maps.
'It's not even 2 o'clock and Theodore is leaving and in a hurry.' Daphne spoke as she turned the keys into the ignition.
She followed the directions back to Franklin Square, and they returned to their office.
'How was it?' Gilroy asked as they entered his office.
'Press conference wasn't too much to talk about,' Fred informed, 'The Commissioner wasn't answering any questions and they have yet to release a full statement regarding the death, but it for sure Jenny Hopkins.'
Gilroy crossed his arms as he paced his office.
'However,' Daphne began, 'We did go back to TW Foods, and we spoke to Theodore Wilkins.'
'Theodore Wilkins? The owner?' Gilroy asked.
'Yes, he wasn't too happy about us being there but it confirmed our suspicion that he and Layla Black, the manager, are hiding something.' Daphne explained.
'Any idea what?' Gilroy asked hopefully.
'Not too sure, but we think they have know something about Jenny's death if they aren't involved in it.' Fred said.
Gilroy nodded, 'Right, well good work. Now, get back to it.'
Daphne and Fred left his office and returned to their desks.
'What now?' Fred asked. Daphne was already opening her laptop.
'Research into Theodore Wilkin.' Daphne said. Fred pulled his chair close to hers and she typed into Google Theodore Wilkins.
The first result was the website for TW Foods and then some news articles from Farming Today and local papers.
"Local businessman provides healthy lunches for school children" one article read.
"Theodore Wilkins, owner of TW Foods here in Washington D.C. has visited a local school today to help give a nutritional guide to school children and help them understand the importance of healthy eating and home cooking."
Daphne pulled out her phone and clicked on Instagram, she typed in Theodore Wilkins but nothing came up and there was nothing of interest on the TW Foods Instagram account.
When Daphne looked up at the laptop, she saw that Fred scrolled further down the article.
"Mr Wilkins' wife Lily is all for healthy eating and home cooking, she says 'it's good to get the kids involved in this, they're having fun and we can eat better as a family.' Its not always easy to get kids to eat healthy food, but Mr Wilkins has tips for making mealtimes healthier and easier."
Daphne quickly typed Lily Wilkins into Instagram and several suggestions came up, but there was only one that was verified so she clicked it. The woman in the photos was the same woman who stood next to Theodore Wilkins in the photos shown in the article they had just read.
Lily Wilkins is tall with long blonde hair and young features. Daphne thought back to her encounter with Theodore Wilkins and guessed there must be some age difference between them.
'Found her.' She muttered.
'Huh?' Fred asked, looking away from the laptop.
'Lily Wilkins.' Daphne said as she clicked on one of the photos.
Theodore Wilkins is standing next to his wife Lily who is holding the string to a pink balloon that reads Baby Girl on it.
Standing in front of them are two boys, probably between the ages of five and ten and they are throwing pink confetti into the air.
The caption reads "Theo and I are super excited to announce that baby No #3 is going to be a GIRL! Jaxon and Albie are so excited to meet their very first sister!"
'Maybe that was why he was in a rush to leave?' Fred suggested.
'I don't know.' Daphne added.
She listened to her colleagues talking about the number of children becoming ill at schools.
And she thought back to the article she was just reading.
She looked behind her, it was Ryan Green and Cameron Kramer who were talking.
'What are you talking about?' She asked. The two males stepped closer to her and Fred looked around too.
'You hear about all those kids who are sick?' Cameron Kramer asked, 'They think it's this new virus in kids which is makin' 'em all sick.'
'They mentioned it briefly on CNN before Jenny Hopkins' body was discovered.' Fred spoke.
Ryan Green nodded, 'The wife is at home with the kids today. Poor Abigail has been sick all weekend but Tommy's fine. I'm sure he'll get it soon though.'
'Isobel is keepin' Sam off school tomorrow.' Cameron Kramer added, 'We're goin' on vacation next week, I don't want him sick.'
'What are you thinking?' Fred asked.
'Theodore Wilkins supplies food for the schools.' Daphne said bluntly, 'And the hospitals and other places.'
'What does that have to do with Jenny Hopkins though, Daph?' Fred asked.
'I'm going to find out.' Daphne said.