Chapter Fifteen

 

Adrian looked at his watch and sighed. His department had a meeting with the president in five minutes. He wondered idly whether the president would look him in the eye during the meeting. He had been avoiding him like the plague this past week, and the tension in the house had been palpable whenever he was around. He was yet to speak to his granddaughter.

He was making his disapproval of Adrian loud and clear, but Adrian was not used to this coldness from his father. For Micah that was par for the course. For him it was so unusual he almost felt like a little boy again, wanting to catch his Dad's attention and grovel at his feet. That is why he was so elated that the house would be ready for him day after tomorrow. He could move out from under his father's roof and disapproving affection. It would also give him a chance to think about Cathy in peace.

After a week, there was still no sign of her, or Nanjo and his sidekick, Natty. There was speculation in some parts of the media that Cathy had run off with Nanjo and even that she was the brains behind his evil empire.

Adrian had stopped watching the news now. The longer they went missing the more lurid the speculations seem to get.

He was also slightly afraid. He had no idea what to think now that a week had passed. He still didn't feel as if she was dead and was never going to give up hope—never. He prayed about it every night. He asked God to protect her and keep her, wherever she was, and he believed that God would do that. He had been sparing her life now for ages. She could have died long ago, but he had preserved her for a purpose. That was his constant thought, and that gave him hope.

He had tried to shield Avia from the news that she was missing but the little girl had found out and was also praying for her mother. Last night he heard her praying, "Please Lord bring back Cathy to me and my Daddy." Those were his sentiments as well. He just wanted her back. He didn't care what she did to him in the past or how badly she had hurt him, or that she became embroiled with Nanjo. He just wanted her back. The prospect of death does that to a person: making them want back their loved ones, alive, whatever the cost.

He grabbed his schedule for the semester. He started a few weeks later than usual and had been assigned some of the under-graduate classes by his department chair. He would only teach a few because he still had the government study to complete.

"Knock, knock," he heard a familiar voice, and when he looked up it was Natasha.

"Hi." He smiled at her. "How are you?"

Natasha sighed and walked into his office. "I got two weeks off from my job. I also applied for study leave to do my master’s up here. It's good to be back in the country area, especially up here in Mount Faith… I tell you. No more nightclub scenes. After my last assignment I doubt that I want to go undercover again, ever."

Adrian nodded, "I can imagine. Have you heard anything about Cathy?"

Natasha shook her head. "The person who is in charge of her case is Jamal Cooper. He is a friend of mine. He has been going over the surveillance tapes on Nanjo one by one to see if there are any clues to his or Cathy's whereabouts. The commissioner himself is involved in this one. He has labeled it top priority. Don't worry, she'll be found."

Adrian nodded. "I am still hopeful, but I feel as if there is something I should be doing."

Natasha shook her head. "Just be patient, and pray. I got to know Cathy when I was undercover and I am hopeful too. I am keeping close touch with Jamal, okay."

"Thanks, Natasha," Adrian said gratefully. "I have to go to a meeting shortly, though. It's with the president."

Natasha whistled. "I hear he is giving you the cold shoulder."

Adrian nodded. "I can manage. Micah has handled his disapproval all these years and he is still alive. I will survive as well."

Natasha got up. "Take care. I'll let you know if I hear anything, okay?"

Adrian nodded.