CHAPTER 109: THE RIGHT THING

The minute the plane landed on the soil of our destination, several police patrol cars were waiting ahead of us. Lewis and I were the last two who stepped out of the plane. I was personally introduced by the chief of police, who was with us to a certain uniformed man that I believe was the chief officer of this island. And after minutes of pleasantries, everyone was at their game faces. 

As planned ahead, the allotted car Lewis and I rode took us to where our informant lives first. It had been agreed upon that we would meet the man who led us to Nicole’s whereabouts at his apartment. With police assistance, who took the lead at the said apartment, I finally came face to face with Dylan Frazer. 

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Hunt,” He immediately shook my hand the minute our eyes met. 

I can’t exactly figure out what I am experiencing right now. I was in a state of mixed feelings that overtook my composure, which brought my eyes to moisten as I looked at him. I couldn’t find myself to utter the words I wanted, all the things inside my head that I wanted to say once I met him, all vanished in thin air. I was literally tongue-tied and couldn’t even form a line at this point. 

My arms automatically drew at him in one swift movement as my tears poured down in series. I never felt this kind of relief as I let myself rest at his chest for a while. My eyes were filled with tears, yet my lips were smiling, and so was my heart, with extreme gratitude to him. After a short while, I withdrew myself and stood in front of him as I regained my composure. 

“The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Frazer. You don’t know how much this means to me, it really means a lot for me. I couldn’t thank you enough for helping us find my father’s murderer” He simply nodded and smiled. 

“We should better head on now. The sooner we capture the culprit and take her to the station, the better it is for everyone” The island police chief spoke momentarily. 

“Right! I wish to leave the island as well afterward, right after everything is settled and done,” Dylan hastily said before starting to walk towards the door. 

I wasn’t sure if it was just me and this series of overpowering emotions I was feeling, but I could sense sadness in his voice. It was as if he was in a state of emotional struggle with himself, whatever the cause of it. My thoughts about him swiftly flew the moment I felt Lewis’ hand over mine. 

“Let’s go, Baby. Let’s get this over and done with, so you can finally rest. It was a long trip, and I am aware of how restless you have been since the night before. You need all the rest you can get before we return home,” I simply nodded my head and let him lead the way as we headed back outside.   

Dylan rode with us. He decided to come along even though it wasn’t necessary, which I sincerely appreciated. As we traveled to the villa that Nicole was staying at, my heart restlessly beat in rapid succession. The anticipation and drive I had in me multiplied the minute the car halted a few distances away from the villa where Dylan confirmed again Nicole was staying.

Lewis helped me out of the car, but before I could close the door behind me, my eyes caught sight of Dylan, who remained seated and seemed to have no plans to move. His eyes were shut tight, and his hands were balled into fists as he breathed in a series of heavy and anxious breaths. 

“Are you alright, Mr. Frazer?” I instinctively asked, slightly puzzled by his expression. He just made a nod, but didn’t bother to respond and maintain his posture. I decided to disregard his obviously troubled condition and focus on the matters at hand. 

The police didn’t waste any time and promptly did what they do best. We were advised to stay where we were and wait behind, as the two chiefs headed first towards the villa with a few of the island’s officers following them. 

Every second that passed I could literally hear my heart’s thump. They were like drum beats, strikingly deafening and boisterous. My body was shaking extremely as Lewis was securing me with an arm.

“Everything will be alright, Penelope. It’s just a matter of minutes and all will be over.” 

A deep and relieved breath escaped my throat as my eyes were once again filled with uncontrollable tears the minute I saw Nicole’s figure coming out of the door, who was in between two officers and was in handcuffs. As they approached, my body immediately moved on its own and I ran towards her. My hand swiftly landed a strong slap on her face as all my anger to her erupted inside of me. 

“You will rot in jail where you belong, Nicole! I will personally see to it that you die there! Fuck you! Fuck you to death!” 

My emotions got the best of me as Lewis forcefully locked me in his embrace. I was struggling to free myself and wanted to further hurt Nicole, but he wouldn’t let me. He tightly held me and caged me in his arms as I cried rivers in his chest, pouring everything I am feeling now. 

“You did it, Baby. Finally! Your father will have the peace he deserves. You made it possible, Penelope. You gave him the justice you promised him, and I am so proud of you. I am certain that your father was also so proud of you and what you have accomplished. He must be smiling now in heaven as he looks down at you right this very moment.” 

I felt all the burdens inside my heart suddenly evaporate. I have never felt lighter since all of these started. I was genuinely smiling as my heart rejoiced and celebrated at this breakthrough, while my arms held him tightly.  

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My eyes were shedding with grieving tears as they were fixed on the tinted window. I could feel my heart striving to stay strong, as it was breaking apart at the sight of Nicole being held captive in both arms by the police and being led towards the patrol car. 

My feet wanted to alight the car and ran towards her, to hug her for the very last time and tell her how sorry I was for betraying her, but I castigated myself as I kept saying inside my head that what I did was the right thing to do. 

‘You did the right thing, Dylan. She committed a grave mistake. She killed a frail and innocent old man, unmercifully took his dear life and deliberately stole him away from his loved ones. This was her punishment. She deserves to be in jail and pay for the crime she committed. You don’t need to feel guilty of what you did, because what you just did was just and humane. She may have penetrated your heart, and you unexpectedly felt love for her, but what you did was what any noble human would do if they were in your shoes. If you weren’t the one who knew her, somebody would. They would turn her to the police as well. So don’t ever feel guilty, Dylan. Look on the brighter side. Everything happens for a reason. You have a bright life ahead of you now, and you gave justice to Penelope Hunt’s father. You are a good man, Dylan Frazer. You shouldn’t let this negative feeling overrule you, because you just did the right thing.’