15

May 1

Daphne looked around the nearly empty office; it was another day with people off sick, most of whom had children.

Some were at home nursing their sick children or at the hospital waiting for test results like Claire Pollock. Daphne wondered if any of them were allowed to go home yet.

She hoped that she and Fred could stop what was happening before lives became lost.

Her ringtone interrupted her thoughts.

JASON CARTER

She had been waiting for his phone call, she answered it quickly, 'Hello.'

'Hey, you called. Sorry, I was with Louisa.' Jason replied.

'How is she?' Daphne asked. 'Great, we found out the gender today. Wanna be the first to know?' Jason asked and before Daphne could answer, Jason screamed, 'It's a boy!'

'Wow, congratulations, Jason.' Daphne replied switching her phone to her other ear.

'Thanks, I'm thinking of calling him JJ, as in Jason Junior. Anyway, why did you call?' He asked.

'I just wanted to know if your guy had any luck with the samples I sent you.' Daphne spoke.

'I haven't heard anything yet, but I'll message him ASAP. I'll let you know when I hear from him.' Jason replied.

'Yeah, sure, thanks.' Daphne replied, and she hung up.

She had confirmed with Jason that the link he'd discovered with TW Foods and the sick children was correct, but she hadn't disclosed that she knew what the drug was that was affecting them.

Several days ago, Daphne and Fred had paid a visit to the elementary school affected by a wave of sick children. Daphne had taken samples of some food items while Fred was talking to the school cook. She bagged it and sent it to Jason whose friend is studying chemistry at university. He owed Jason a favor.

'Hey,' Fred said as he sat at her desk, 'So, guess who I just spoke to.'

'Who?' Daphne asked.

'Lily Wilkins.' Fred said. Daphne looked at him, 'Theodore Wilkins' wife?'

'Yep.' Fred replied, 'Theodore told her that we spoke to him a few days ago about Jenny's disappearance so she contacted me.'

'What did she say?' Daphne asked.

'She said she thought it was suspicious that we questioned him after Jenny had disappeared, but she said the night Jenny went missing, she and Theodore were home with the kids all night watching a movie.' Fred explained.

'Oh.' Daphne replied slightly disheartened.

'However,' Fred started, Daphne looked hopeful, 'She also said that Theodore was becoming stressed and it wasn't because of the baby, she says they're more than financially stable.'

Daphne asked, 'But what was he worried about?'

'She says he worried about the business a lot. They were due to have the health inspector at the warehouse and it was panicking him.'

'Do you think he knows what Layla Black has been up to?' Daphne asked.

'I don't know, but she said she would call later with Theodore and get him to give his account.'

'Seriously?' Daphne asked. 'Seriously.' Fred smiled, 'She says whatever is going on, Theodore has nothing to do with it.'

'Freddy, you're amazing.' Daphne smiled. 'I know.' Fred smiled in return and also gave a wink.

Daphne was startled by the feeling of butterflies in her stomach but she was relieved to hear Fred's ringtone.

'Just a sec.' He said and he took the phone call to one side.

Daphne sat back in her chair. Her face feeling warm and her heart pounding.

What is going on?

The last time Fred had this effect on her, they were dating at college. She thought she had pushed all romantic feelings for him aside when she called the relationship off, in fear of their friendship being ruined.

She could never forget the way he made her feel when they were together, he had always been sweet and gentle with her, as well as patient and understanding. She couldn't deny that there was still something there for him.

'That was my cousin.' Fred said, startling her when he returned to the desk. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.'

Daphne could feel her cheeks burning and her heart racing, 'You didn't.' Fred smiled, 'You're not getting sick too are you?' He joked.

'What did your cousin say?' Daphne asked quickly.

'He said he managed to access TW Foods pay role. He said that Jenny Hopkins and all other office staff were on the same minimum wage, as were the warehouse staff.'

'We already know that Jenny had no complaints about her wage, and it's obvious now that nobody she worked with had a grudge over money if they were all on the same wage.' Daphne explained.

Fred nodded, 'Right, but the only person who is on a higher wage than everyone else is Layla Black. She earns thirty-three thousand dollars a year.'

'And Theodore?' Daphne asked.

'He's the company owner, he takes nearly double that annually.' Fred explained.

'That still doesn't explain how the drugs got into the food or who is responsible for Jenny's murder.' Daphne explained.

'There was another thing Sam looked into.' Fred added, 'As an accountant, he can see a company's incoming and what their outgoings are spent on. Packaging, food transportation and distribution, and staff wages have all been accounted for. However, one thousand dollars has been marked as "company expenditure" on their latest account statements from March this year.'

'One thousand dollars?' Daphne asked. 'Yeah, he's going to look into the year and get back to me.' Fred replied.

Daphne's phone pinged indicating a text message.

It was from Jason; "Just spoke to my buddy and he emailed me the results. I'm forwarding it to you now."

'Jason's friend sent the results in from the sample.' Daphne replied and she opened her emails on her phone. Fred sat next to her and Daphne got the scent of aftershave.

The email was titled; SAMPLE FROM JAY

Daphne opened the email and clicked on the attachment. They recognized the New York University logo at the top and they began to read the lab results.

Sample 1: 10g sugar sent in a sealed plastic food bag

Sample 2: 20g plain flour sent in a sealed plastic food bag

Sample 3: 10g mayonnaise sent in a sealed plastic food bag

Sample 4: 10g tomato puree sent in a sealed plastic food bag

Sample 5: 5mg of crystalised substance assumed to be 3,4-Methyl enedioxy methamphetamine (ecstasy)

Sample five has been tested. 99.9% possibility that the sample is 3,4-Methyl enedioxy methamphetamine.

All other samples tested and contain traces of 3,4-Methyl enedioxy methamphetamine.

5.5% sample 1

20.4% sample 2

5.2% sample 3

5.8% sample 4

'Lab confirms ecstasy.' Daphne said.

'Daph, we need to speak to the police commissioner about this. It's too serious, it's gone too far.' Fred said and Daphne sat silently though, tapping her fingers on her desk.

'What's the matter?' Fred asked.

'Something doesn't add up.' Daphne began, 'We have some evidence that TW Foods is responsible for poisoning the children, but we don't know who killed Jenny, not for sure anyway.'

'We know this is all linked together, Daph. I think we should go to the police station and just explain to them what we know.'

'Freddy, Jenny was about to expose TW Foods for this too, and look what happened to her.' Daphne explained, 'If they follow it up but nothing comes of it we could end up dead too.'

'I know it's scary but-'

'I'm not scared Fred, I just- I just don't want to rush into something that we're not ready for.' Daphne explained.

Fred sighed, he knew she was right, they had to be careful.

'We need a plan.' He said, 'I know what to do, but you've got to trust me on this.'

Daphne nodded, 'Always.'

Fred's ringtone was heard again, he looked at the caller ID, 'It's Theodore Wilkins.'

He answered it.

'Hello?'

'Hello, is this Fred Jones? You spoke to my wife earlier.' Theodore Wilkins' voice came quietly through the phone.

'Yes, this is Fred Jones.'

'You wanted to ask some questions. You can come to my house, now if that is suitable for you. I would rather not speak over the phone.'

Fred noticed the nervous tone in his voice, and he agreed that he and Daphne would make their way to Theodore Wilkins' home after he gave them the address.