Light in the Dark

Chapter 25: Risky

"Did I commit a crime?" Jill joked the second she picked up the call from Jayden.

"I was wondering if you ladies and ma'am had anything planned for Trish's birthday?" Jayden didn't want to clash with the Robredos. 

"Do you want the 16th or the 19th?" Jill chuckled as she gave Jayden the options. Unfortunately, Tricia was scheduled for a conference and night duty on the 18th, which meant that she wasn't available the whole day. 

"Can I have the 19th please?" Jayden checked his calendar, drawing a heart on the 19th of July. Trish's Birthday Celebration. 

"Sure, she's all yours." Jayden couldn't see Jill but the bunso was shaking her head at how whipped her future brother-in-law was. 

"Thank you, Jill." Jayden smiled as he ended the call with Jill. There was a lot standing in between him and the 19th but he had a goal to look forward too. 

"Sir, you have a visitor." A uniformed officer reported to Jayden. 

"What's his name?" Jayden wasn't expecting anyone. 

"Mr Ortega, Sir. He said that you would know. Should I invite him in, Sir?" The officer waited for Jayden's answer. 

"Where is he? Lead me to him." Jayden's eyes widened at the name. He'd never expected Mr Ortega to come visit him. 

"Jayden..." Mr Ortega was waiting anxiously outside when he spotted Jayden. 

"Mr Ortega, how can I help you?" Jayden helped Mr Ortega into a room, placing his crutches to one side and opening a bottle of water for the older man. 

"You need to help me, Jayden." Mr Ortega grabbed Jayden's hands. 

"Calm down and tell me what's wrong, slowly." Jayden assured Mr Ortega. He had an hunch, one that he didn't want it to be true.

" He...He's back. He's back to hurt my family!" Mr Ortega was opened his bag and stacks of pictures came falling out. It was pictures of Mr Ortega, his wife and their 3 children. All taken from a distance.

"You have to be honest with me, Mr Ortega. Only then can I help you." Jayden looked through the pictures. Both of them knew who was behind the pictures. 

"I don't know much either...I just know him as Diablo. 17 years ago, my oldest daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and he approached me, telling me that if I helped him with something, he'd settle the hospital fees and even help her get a bone marrow transplant. I couldn't say no..." Mr Ortega decided to come clean with Jayden. 

"Has he contacted you? How did he send you these pictures?" Jayden took a closer look at the pictures. 

"It was through anonymous mail. I don't know either..." Mr Ortega avoided Jayden's eyes. 

"I believe you, I do. I've been doing my best to track him down but it's tough. I need everything I can get hold of. " Jayden could sense that there were things Mr Ortega was hiding. 

"Promise that you'll keep my family safe?" Jayden saw the fear in Mr Ortega's face.  

"I promise. You have my word for it." Jayden knew that Mr Ortega's family was innocent. Jayden digging into the accident was what placed them in danger in the first place.

"He made contact with me a few days back. And sent this to me..." Mr Ortega showed Jayden a message on his phone. 

I know you met him. Don't forget what you promised me. I know where you live.

"I'll send a team to watch over your family for now. Don't come here anymore. It's dangerous if he's watching you." Jayden didn't want to rouse anymore suspicion.