Lethal Habit - Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Just then, she saw her mother. What was Helen doing in London? A vacation? Visiting someone? She resisted the urge to go up to her. Helen walked into a pub and Nadine guided by instinct, followed her in. It would be good if she could get some news of the investigation in the states, assuming it was still active. Nadine glanced at her for a moment and thought about how to approach her without divulging her identity. Assuming a British accent, she approached Helen.

“Excuse me, do you happen to have a charger? My phone died.”

Helen said, “No, I’m sorry.”

“No problem. First time in London?”

“Yes, it’s all very new and exciting.”

“It’s a great city.”

“Have you been here long?”

“My whole life.”

“I was just thinking about my daughter; you remind me of her.”

Nadine felt a tinge of anxiety.

“Oh, in what way?”

“Well, only that you’re about the same age.”

“Is she with you?”

“No, I haven’t seen her in quite some time.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yes, there was some mix-up with the police, and she disappeared.”

“That’s a shame. Perhaps she’s trying to protect you.”

“Well, as far as I can see, they’ve stopped their investigation. I’ve called several times and was told they’d put it on the back burner as they had other pressing matters that needed their attention. I just wish she’d get in touch. I miss her so.”
“Well, I hope she does. Nice talking with you.”

“What did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t. It’s Evelyn. Have a nice day.”

Helen watched her leave and thought there was something familiar about Evelyn but couldn’t quite say what it was. Nadine felt secure that no one was actively looking for her and glad she got to interact with her mother even if Helen didn’t know who she was. Life is certainly strange, she thought. What are the odds of her mother showing up in London? It restored her faith in God, and she took it as a sign that she was on the right path.

She went home and relaxed with a hot bath, thinking about Douglas’s demise. She remembered the scene in Kill Bill 2 where the guy opened a suitcase of cash and this black mamba bit up on the face and he died while the girl explained how potent the venom was. Well, she already had used poison, so she needed something different. How many ways were there to murder someone? Let me count the ways. She soon forgot about it and continued watching something on Netflix that she was into. It felt good to lose herself in other peoples’ lives and not have to think about your own. That would soon change forever.