750: Truth or lies?

Truth or lies?

Hours passed and as every minute ticked, Maggie felt her heart beating like a drum, thumping loudly and madly. If someone were to hear her, they were bound to assume that she had run a marathon. Her palms slowly turned clammy and she fidgeted in her seat uncomfortably.1

The day was slowly changing into the night and as darkness enveloped the sky, Maggie's frustration only increased and she almost lost control of herself. If not for her sanity and rationality that were trying to keep her in check, Maggie was sure that her control on herself would have snapped and she would have attacked Preston with questions.

"You seem vexed." Valerie pointed out and Maggie forced her eyes on her. "What's bothering you?"

Maggie did not reply and lowered her head.

"Is it about Preston?"

Maggie's snapped to hers immediately and she looked at her in surprise.

"You don't believe his words and you feel he is up to something. Am I right?" Valerie smiled faintly while Maggie just nodded at her, words failing her at such a critical moment.

"I understand your dilemma for I too feel the same." Valerie sighed and looked towards the ward door for a brief moment.

Preston had taken Ryder with him to enquire about his physiotherapy, leaving the two ladies to themselves and allowing them to have this conversation.

"You do?" Maggie was not that surprised this time. Being smart and observant, Valerie must have sensed something amiss about him. 

"Yes, his story sounds impossible and cooked up. For the first time, I am unable to find any truth in his words." Valerie felt defected and lost. "It's as if the friend we had known all this time is not the same person anymore."

"Valerie..." Maggie did not know how to console her and her shoulders dropped in defeat.

"How long have you suspected him?" Valerie composed herself and smiled at her in assurance.

"Since the time I escaped from Jared's clutches. I always had an inkling there was someone working with him. I had found some hints when I was in the gang and one of them pointed to Preston. But I had to leave before I could confirm the same." Maggie lowered her eyes and fidgeted with her fingers. 

"And every time I spoke to Preston after returning, I would get some similar vibes from him as if Jared has brushed him."

"Why did you not inform us about it? I am not complaining or arguing, I am just curious."

"Well, they are only my suspicions and I don't have any evidence to prove them. Moreover, Preston is too careful and alert. It's impossible to gain anything when he is around, that is if he is working for Jared."

"Hmm...that's understandable. If he actually working for Jared, he has done an incredible job hiding from us all this time."

"I just hope I am wrong about him. I don't want our friendship to be a lie. His friendship and concern towards us seemed genuine to me before I started to suspect him." Maggie sighed and leaned back, looking at the ceiling in dismay.

"I hope so too. I am not sure if I will be able to handle it if Preston turns out to be a traitor. Forget about me. Think about Ryder. Will he be able to handle it?"

"He will be heartbroken." Maggie felt dejected all of a sudden and clenched his fists, unable to think about anything else but the two men who were best friends.

"Is this why you took Joshua aside for a private conversation?" Valerie's eyes widened in realization and she pursed her lips.

"Yes. I cannot leave you guys and investigate Preston myself. It would alert him. So, I sought Joshua's help. The results will be here soon." Maggie did not hide the truth from her and looked at her phone to check if she had missed any calls or messages from her dear friend. But none.

"Be calm, Maggie. You will find the truth soon." 

Barely had Valerie finished speaking when Maggie's phone vibrated and she almost jumped in surprise when she saw who it was.

"Hello, Joshua."

"Hi, Maggie. Sorry for the delay. My men returned only now."

"No problem, Jo." Maggie clutched her phone tight and looked at her Deputy who already had her eyes on her. She turned on the loudspeaker and pushed the phone closer to her friend.

"What did you find out?"

"It's a little surprising though. There has been an entry in the name of Preston in the ledger a day after the explosion."

"How is it possible?" Maggie almost yelled in shock.

"Apparently, there is. However, no name was registered until two days ago and it was when Preston woke up. Until then, he was just a nameless patient."

"Anything else?" Maggie held her breath in anticipation.

"Yes. Everything Preston told you and your friends is the truth. A fisherman found him and his son dropped him off at the hospital you guys are in. The phone signals in the place are shitty as hell and it's almost impossible to call someone."

"Ohh." Maggie did not know what to make out of the truth she had just found out and glanced at Valerie, who held a similar expression as hers, bewildered.

"And just to confirm the truth, my men interrogated not one or two but almost all the hospital staff, which was barely seventeen. Everyone accepted that Preston had been admitted to the hospital." Joshua sighed on her phone and Maggie understood his feelings at that time for she too was feeling the same.

"This is so fucked up," Maggie grumbled after some time. If there had been no evidence to back up Preston's story, it would have been easier for them. 

However, now that they had proof, the situation became all the more messy. Moreover, the hospital did not have any CCTV footage for them to confirm the truth themselves. It was all people who could easily be manipulated.

"What do we do now, Jo?" 

"Although there is evidence to back up his story, there are still a few red flags, Maggie. Don't completely trust him for now. It might all be cooked up too. I will try to find out more details about him." Joshua replied, his voice any dithering at all.

"I understand, Jo. I will do as you say. Thank you so much for your help."

"I will keep you updated about this matter. Take care, Maggie."

"You too, Jo. Bye."

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