Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

I sprang to my feet and strode quickly to the door, saying to Larkin, "Get the door."

Only then did Larkin lower his arms. Adela gave him a side-eye glower and strutted in.

She wore a scowl as she scrutinized me from head to toe, took a couple of steps inside, and only then noticed that there were two men in the room.

Her eyes narrowed sharply, her displeasure evident, "Who let you all in here, in the middle of the night? who the heck are you? Ain't nobody home, how'd you get in?"

Hannah promptly flashed her badge, but before she could tuck it away, Adela snatched it out of her hand, peered at it, and still dissatisfied, grumbled, "What's the police doing here at this hour?"

I quickly gestured her in, asking her to take a seat, and asked gently, "You're Adela from 202, right? I've been meaning to speak with you, but I knew it was late and didn't want to disturb you." As the saying goes, "You can't refuse a friendly gesture." As soon as she felt the warmth and kindness in my words, her frosty demeanor began to thaw noticeably.

"What's all this about? Is it these folks..." She didn't finish her sentence, looking back at me, she asked, "Who are you looking for here?"

"Does a woman live here with a beautiful child?" I asked earnestly.

"Yes, indeed. A lady with a little kid does live here."

Eagerly I pressed on, "Have you seen them? Do you know when they left?"

"I've seen them, but it's strange that they hardly ever came out. Been here two years, and I hardly saw them a handful of times. Kept to themselves, mostly." Adela was an open book, spilling every detail.

"And I did see them twice. The woman carrying the child back from outside, and that kid was so handsome. Big eyes, a real darling. Just not seen much, they were always inside. As for when they left..."

She pondered, "Exactly which day, I can't recall. About six months ago, I saw her moving stuff out twice. I asked her what was all this then. And she said just junk she didn't need. After that, I never saw them again. When they left I couldn't say."

"Did she move out alone?" I probed further.

Ronan and the others were all ears, listening to her story.

"Yes, I didn't see anyone else." Adela eyed me, "You here looking for that woman?"

I didn't answer her question, instead, I continued, "No strangers coming around here?"

I was skeptical about a woman and the child living in complete isolation and how could they manage.

"If you're talking strangers..." Adela drew out her words, then exclaimed, "Forgetting the most crucial person. There was someone. Not really a stranger, she claimed to be the landlord."

I immediately understood she was referring to Hazel.

Mentioning Hazel, Adela's face twisted with distaste, "That woman's no good, all puffed up with arrogance. Treats us around here like we're beneath her. Lucky for us she doesn't live here, or she'd cause trouble constantly."

"Why would you think that?" I probed, curiosity piqued. Yet, I was all too familiar with Hazel's habit of flaunting her wealth.

"One time I heard her come over, and she was yelling at that woman, the kid crying. Only heard it once, the child wailed so loud, broke my heart. And that old hag was cursing something fierce. Really a piece of work."

"Did she come around often?" I asked, then quickly added, "I mean that brash woman you mentioned."

"She wasn't a regular, but I got the feeling whenever she showed up, it spelled trouble. She was always picking on that woman." Adela said indignantly.

"Though I haven't seen her around lately, at least not for the past six months."

"That woman from this place was too meek, kept to herself, all mysterious-like. Who lives like that? Neighbors are usually friendly. But not her, she always kept to herself and locked away in her room, quiet as a mouse. And the kid too, so well-behaved. Not like other kids, always crying. I barely heard that child cry."

Adela had a lot to say.

My heart ached. Was my son really that well-behaved?

"How old was the child the first time you saw him?" I had to know.

There were so many questions I needed answers to, especially now that I had finally met someone who had truly seen my son.