Chapter 94_ Picnic

“I don't care about returning; I don't want to work for someone else. I love this place, and I'm happy with the life I have now. Life moves forward, not backward. It's not even worth digging into the past.” Melinda said, making Arya and Kane exchange eye contact with one another.

“What about clearing your name?" Arya said,

"My name?” Melinda repeated,

"Lots of people still think what happened is your fault. If we can understand what happened, we can fix this disgrace.” Arya explained, and Melinda tapped on the table with her fingers as she thought about it.

After a few moments of silence, she said, “I do like the idea of clearing my name.”

“And with your help, we can be sure that the blame won't fall on another innocent person.” Arya said,

Melinda nodded and began to tell what she knew. "Alright. Here's what I know. I used to work with Victoria and Lewis, and one day I lost my pass.”

"Did you report the loss to the security office?” Arya asked, and Melinda shook her head.

“Not really. It didn't feel like a big deal. I thought it was in the bottom of my purse. But I realized I made a big mistake when a security officer asked me what I was doing in the classified archive section.” Melinda continued,

"Classified section?" Arya repeated it with a raised eyebrow.

Melinda nodded and said, “Yes, I had full access to all the documents, and the system logs showed that I downloaded a large amount of data on my computer. I said I had no idea what was happening, but no one believed me.”

“Sometimes it's sad how computers are believed more than people.” Kane butted in, and Melinda smiled wistfully.

“That was the least of my problems. The general manager of Naples flagged my profile in the industry as dangerous, and I wasn't able to get another job in the field.” Melinda said,

"But do you have any idea about who could have stolen your pass?” Arya asked, with a thoughtful look on her face.

“Either Lewis or Victoria. They knew where I kept the pass, but there was something else. The day I lost my pass, there was an insufferable girl at the office, taking a tour from another branch of the company. She was called Marzia or something like that.” Melinda explained further.

“Maybe Martina?" Arya said, and Melinda nodded.

"Yes, Martina sounds about right. What a bitch!” Melinda cussed.

“Do you think she did it?" Arya asked,

Melinda shrugged. "I don't know. But I remember she was snooping here and there all the time. The only person I’m sure about is Lewis. He would never do something like that.”

"Why do you think so?” Kane questioned,

"Because he was the only one helping me out when I got fired. He lent me the money to get started in this place, and he was also very supportive. I had a huge crush on him, but he told me he was in love with someone else.” Melinda explained,

"And what about Victoria?" Arya asked,

“Victoria was too much of an iron-willed worker to be such a schemer, in my opinion.” Melinda answered, and Arya blinked in surprise.

"Iron-willed? Are we talking about the same person?" Arya said,

"Oh, so you don't know the story." Melinda said as Kane and Arya looked at her with furrowed brows.

“What story?" Kane asked,

"Victoria was engaged to this rich, beautiful man, but before getting married, she found out that he was a mobster, and she was pregnant.” Melinda said,

"What?” Arya exclaimed,

"Well, she ditched him and went away, ignoring any threat or blackmail, and went on raising the kid on her own. She seems a little too ballsy to steal a badge and frame someone else.” Melinda said,

“How do you know this story?" Arya asked curiously.

“It was supposed to be a big secret, but everyone knew about it in Naples. That's just how it works in that city. That is all I know. I hope it was helpful.” Melinda said, and Arya nodded gratefully.

"We definitely have something to work on now. Thank you so much, Melinda. I know this wasn't easy for you, but at least now I have a few ideas about the mole’s identity.” Arya said, smiling at her.

“It was a pleasure. It feels good to face the whole thing for the last time and leave everything behind. I’ll prepare you a couple of pizzas on the go to apologize for my bad manners before.” Melinda said,

“Thank you, Melinda; it's very nice of you.” Arya said, and Melinda nodded as she went to get them some pizzas, placed in a small brown pack, and handed them to Arya.

Kane and Arya thanked her before walking away from the restaurant, carrying four pizzas with them, and Arya turned to Kane as she said, “Kane, what should we do with all these pizzas?”

“Well, since the investigation was a success and we are still around, why don't we take some time off and have a picnic?” Kane suggested, and Arya bobbed her head at him.

"That sounds like a great idea.”