Mia paused in her tracks, ready to chase after her husband once again, but halted by the words of her friend.
“You knew him when you were a kid? You mean, like he appeared in your childhood memories, or are you suspecting that he was involved in your abduction years ago?” Mia, with her clear mind and years of friendship with Molly, immediately caught on to what her friend was implying.
“You think he’s the one who kidnapped you sixteen years ago!”
The bond of friendship they shared over the years wasn’t formed in vain. Molly nodded, indicating that she had also told Chad about her suspicions. Chad was a police officer. Without solid evidence, her deductions were merely speculations. She was afraid to hinder her brother’s investigation and his possible promotion. Besides, Chad didn’t seem to take her concerns seriously, probably thinking she was overreacting.
“Mia, I have this strong feeling that I can’t let him go the moment I saw him. Especially when I caught him sneakily peeping into my brother’s hospital room, and then lying about looking for a woman named Smith. There’s no one by that name in the whole ward.”
Mia took Molly by the hand and sat her down on a chair. “How are you sure he’s the one from your childhood?”
“He has a tattoo on his hand. It’s in the shape of a leaf.”
A leaf... could it be the Waltons?
Mia’s eyes flickered as she quickly searched her memory. She had been at the hospital a couple of days ago!
Frowning, Mia recalled her visit to the hospital to see Chad. She had run into Holly and her driver, Tom.
“Is the man you saw wearing a black coat, well-built, with a crew cut, and an olive skin tone?” Mia’s memory of Tom was a bit sketchy, as she hadn’t paid much attention to him at the time.
Molly looked shocked as she nodded, wondering how Mia knew. Thinking Mia might have seen the tattoo on Finley’s hand, she lifted her own wrist and drew a circle on it. “It’s tattooed here, in deep green.”
Mia shook her head, doubtful of Tom’s identity. She wasn’t aware of any tattoo on Tom’s hand as she had been advised by her husband. Because of her pregnancy, she had to keep away from anyone with the surname Walton. She had seen him for a few times, but it was from a distance.
Molly was agitated. “How do you know this man?”
Mia placed a hand on her belly. Her brows slightly furrowed. Since she hadn’t seen the man personally, all these were mere conjectures. “Molly, do you remember anyone named Finley or Tom from your past?”
Molly shook her head after listening. “I don’t think so. Who are they?”
Mia was at a loss. She didn’t know how to explain what she knew to her friend. “Did you see a pregnant woman with him when you saw him?”
Molly shook her head. “No, it was just him.”
Mia frowned, and her mind was racing with thoughts.
Why did Tom sneak upstairs to peep at Chad? His actions were likely driven by Finley. But what connection did Finley have with Chad? Was Chad’s accident related to him?
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