Chapter 3 Doubt

Now outside the restaurant, doctor Dave options to drive her home which she refuses before flapping down a cab to his surprise.

" Take care and see you tomorrow Dave"she calls out to him as the cab pulls off the side way.

Not satisfied he follows the cab making sure not to lose sight of it until they arrive at her house.

Now satisfied that she's safe,he leaves for his home.

Nadine enters her house to notice an intruder leaving from the window and consciously walks towards the window only for her to see a note tusked at a corner of the window.

"Why have you suddenly return from Singapore to take up a case that could lead to your death.Who do you want to impress and mind you, I'm closer to you than you think.Trust nobody including me"it reads making her shrink in fear."What is this, nobody else knows that I'm back from Singapore and interested in the case apart from Dave.wait is he the murderer"she mutters under her breathe confused.

" No he can't be the one,no I don't think so" she refuses to come in terms with the situation.

"I need to tread with caution and what am I saying, he's the only one that knows my house."

She collects herself and hides the note in a hidden place.

*The next day*

Nadine enters the hospital looking glum but manages to eke out a smile when passes by the receptionist who smiles back.She walks down the hallway to Dave's office and slowly opens it without knocking,to see him holding a spartula and a mean look on his face, making her shrink in horror at the bitter realization.

She gasps and shuts the door drawing his attention."Nadine what are you doing"he asks with his voice trembling before opening the door.

"He's really getting me to suspect him" she thinks to herself as he stares at her.

" I heard what you said,why not come in and stop making assumptions"he chips in making her flee to his upmost surprise.

"What did I do wrong?" he asks himself before walking after her.

He spots her down the hallway and walks towards her with alot of things running through his mind.

" What's wrong with you today, did anything happen last night"

"Oww what now, he's asking me maybe to force words out of me" she thinks before turning to face him.

"Nothing I'm scared because you startled me" she lies giving him a cute smile that drives him crazy and short of words.

" Okay come let me show you the victim in the autopsy room"he replies leading the way without saying anything else.

Immediately they get to the room,she turns around with her eyes fixed on him searching for any sign of guilt on his face.

"Look Dave I want to go in alone, please respect my stand" she mutters

"Are you sure?" he asks but she vehemently refuses with her mind already made up.

She goes in all by herself and slowly uncovers the body.She screams out loud prompting Dave to come running in concerned about her welfare.

He sees her cuddled at the foot of the bed weeping profusely.

"Nadine calm down,what happened"he asks as she trembles and kneels beside her.

"Clive!!!!!" she screams clutching to him like a child.

" Who's Clive,please calm down and explain everything to me.First of all let's leave her"he says quietly and leads her out of the room to try pacifying her.

He hands over to her some pills inorder to calm her down, but she refuses to take them.

"Don't leave me please,I need you more than ever.The guy in there is Clive who's my best friend both in highschool and college.I saw him in Singapore and he promised to come visit me here.I guess this is it,why him,he hasn't wronged anyone and can't even hurt anyone."she breathes out, trembling and hot tears rushing down her cheek uncontrollably.

"Pull yourself together for his sake, don't break down because he won't like that. I know how it feels losing a loved one,but we can't do anything to bring him back to live. The only thing you can do for him is to avenge his death by finding the cruel killer and bringing him to book for justice to prevail."

Listening to her wails makes him vow deep inside to find the killer

Still crying profusely she experiences shortage of breathe before growing numb on his arms triggering a similar event in his mind.

" Nadine" he calls out to her before lifting her off the ground and out of his off to a private ward.

Watching her as she sleeps reminds him of how quiet she's always and wonder if the things happening would give him the chance to care for her like the way he always wanted.

"Can there be us with everything besides I need to find Rain and erase the hurt and guilt I feel about my brother's death. I can't tell Nadine about my Post traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks or even let her in on my secret.No I can't do that,time would tell. I really wish I can help her now that's she needs her best friend most.I never knew that guy was her besty".he thinks to herself carassing her hair fondly.

"Nadine you know you're my all and I want the best for you.Be strong for your friend and move on please, don't end up like this"he mutters with tears in his eyes and lips trembling.

*Hours later*

He leaves the still sleeping Nadine with a nurse and leaves to meet up with the detective in his office.

"Is Clive a drug addict because I saw these drugs spilled on his bed.What did the autopsy result say"

" No he isn't a drug addict, those are anaesthetic and the guy is free from drugs. Surprisingly he's doctor Nadine's bossom childhood friend and playmate.Do you think the killer knows them or the guy was just unlucky. I just don't get it" Dr Dave responds with his voice filled with anger and frustration at the turnout of events.

" I'm equally confused and thrilled by everything, no wonder the former detective handling this case left it.The more we try rattling and resolving this,the more it gets complicated and mysterious.Are you this guy isn't among us as friend.We have to be very careful and vigilant. About your friend tell her to becareful, because one way or the other he might come after her."the detective warns with his eyes blazing with anger.

* I'll definitely let her know what we're in for,this isn't an ordinary ordeal,he can strike anytime he wants without mercy or warning and everyone is a suspect"Dave concurs with his arms across eachother.

" I have someone to look after detective, but will call you later in the day"he chips in.

Nadine wakes up as he enters the room with her eyes swollen and red from her crying.

With a coarse voice she tries opening her mouth to say something,but gets cutoff by tears which spill off her eyes.

" He took care of me in my most vunerable state,do I still need to doubt him, besides I have known him for sometime now"

Noticing the tears, he gently wipes it off with his fingers sending shivers down her spine, making her uneasy at the impact.

" Don't worry everything will be fine and Clive would get justice,that I promise you.

" Thank you Dave, I'm tired now and will be leaving for home. Tell doctor Kent I'm not in the best state now and thanks one more."she mutters before getting down from the bed alittle lightheaded,but able to get hold of herself.

" I will drive you home if you don't mind" he says as they near the hospital's parking lot.

Without saying anything,she enters his car quite tired and disheartened.

" Why are you quiet Nad,do you anything to ask or something you're confused about and needs clearification" he glances at her as she faces the window sobbing quietly.

" Um nothing,just that I'm dumbfounded by everything that has happened. My Clive is such a nice guy and doesn't deserve to die in this manner,I don't mean others deserved this" she mumbles very shaken by the whole event.

" I'm really sorry for what happened to your friend" and to this she nods as they pull into her drive way.

" Thank you for the ride and take care" she says before slowly walking towards the door as he makes to leave.

He turns back around as he notices something odd and makes it in time to catch on an intruder with face mask on looming over the asleep Nadine who's still putting on her work clothe.

He fights with the masked intruder as thee rumble wakes her up to see them struggling. Suddenly distracted, Dave gets slashed by the hooded figure who runs out.

Still in a trance Nadine rushes over to Dave who clutches his arm in pain" You're hurt and it's quite deep.Seat while I treat it"

She returns back with a first aid box and swiftly treats his cut before bandaging it.

"Thanks for saving my life" she says with tears in here eyes.

" I did what I'm meant to do and one more thing your can't stay here any longer. You're coming to my house"he responds before wincing from the pain.

He waits on her patiently as she grabs a few things she needs before making sure the house was properly locked before leaving with Dave for his house.

"Wow your house is enormous,do you live with a whole lot of people.This is huge for just a person."Nadine mutters amazed by the beauty of the house with her eyes gazing round in awe.

" Come let me show you the room you'll be staying in from now onwards "he breathes out before leading her upstairs to a room down the hallway leading to his.

Nadine wonders how he is able to live in such a big house without getting scared or lonely"Is he maybe a psycho,vampire or ghost.Noo he should be more like a werewolf " she gasps before hitting herself lightly on the head making Dave to giggle amazed by her assumptions.

" Why are you amused so suddenly?"she asks without a hint of joke on her face.

"Oww you're funny, I mean what your said sounds funny"

"I didn't say anything or can you hear my thoughts" she responds with her eyes wide in surprise.

Dave feels uncomfortable with her question and makes to deny it." Don't be rediculous, do you believe in such things, nonsense.Be logical please. I'll leave you now to settle down."with that he leaves quietly and closes the door after him before letting out a sign.