Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Attempt on Grandfather III (Seth)
"I think you are being too defensive right now." Uncle Dang commented.
"Uncle Dang, she was taking care of me and the children after midnight and before that she was busy arranging the children's room. She really didn't have any time to put the incense there." I chimed in before this escalated.
Athena's fists are already tightly clenched and the look in her eyes tells me that she might punch Uncle Dang soon.
"Alright, if you say so. Don't leave town little girl." Lieutenant said before he left and let the two detectives look around some more.
"Ignore Mark. He's just a little protective of his friends. Though, it is also hard for me to believe that Sam would do something to hurt me and of course, I know you wouldn't hurt me. Maybe there's another explanation." Grandfather said to Athena placatingly.
Maybe there is another explanation but Athena was pretty sure that it was Uncle Sam who did it. The detectives had stayed in the house for the whole morning before leaving. We let grandfather rest after lunch and let the older girls watch over grandfather.
I also told Athena to take an afternoon nap as she hasn't really slept at all but she ignored me and started baking. I guess that's her way to release stress or anger so I let her be before those fist hits me.
The investigation was slow. Nothing really came up as the evidence is sparse. After 3 days, grandfather's health was a bit better. Grandfather told us not to inform the main house about what happened and let Uncle Sam come back for duty. Since grandfather has already spoken we had to let Uncle Sam back to work.
Athena didn't look too happy when grandfather decided that but she didn't say anything. She just kept her guard up since Uncle Sam came back. She never left him alone with Grandfather so she looked more haggard as days passed.
"Athena, we're going to start opening the shops a few days from now. Should we go back to the main house tomorrow?" I asked her while she took out some small cakes and cookies from the oven.
Other than hovering around grandfather, Athena also bakes a lot and I have to say her skills are improving, not that they are bad but it's on the level that we can sell them. Should I suggest it?
"Can we bring grandfather to the main house? His health is still not good." Athena asked worriedly.
I know she's worried to leave him here with Uncle Sam but I don't think grandfather will like that idea.
"I don't think grandfather will agree to staying in the main house." I replied honestly.
"Then can me and the younger children stay here and watch over grandfather? I think you can handle the shop for a few more days, right? Just until grandfather feels better." Athena pleaded.
I looked at her and can't understand why she's so sure it was Uncle Sam. Is it because of her dream? I mean it's not like I'm not doubtful of Uncle Sam but I also don't understand why Uncle Sam would do it now? He and grandfather have been together for a long time, surely he would have done it before if he really wanted to kill grandfather, right?
"I know you don't believe me when I claimed that it was Secretary Choi who did it but I'm sure it's him. There were only two of us that time that were awake. It's either me or him and I'm sure I didn't do it." Athena told me seriously.
She looks so sure and so helpless. You know what, maybe she's right but how can we prove it?
"Why do you think he did it?" I asked seriously.
"I don't know. Do you know if Secretary Choi has a family he's hiding or something?" Athena asked.
What does his family have to do with it?
"What are you two doing here? The twins are crying in the living room." Secretary Choi suddenly came in and both of us were shocked.
"I was just asking Athena, if she wanted to open a bakery. Her pastries are really good. Wanna try some Uncle Sam?" I asked innocently as I offered the cookie in my hand.
"Yes, have some. I'll bring the rest outside." Athena said and excused herself.
I gave Uncle Sam a cookie and he ate them.
"What do you think? Would our bakery be successful?" I asked proudly.
"Are you going to ask your grandfather for money again? Don't you think you've asked your grandfather for too much money already?" Uncle Sam criticized.
His eyes narrowed at me with lips pressed together. Is he angry?
"My family has a little savings and I think it would be enough to open a shop. I know I've borrowed a lot of money from grandfather but don't worry Uncle Sam, we will pay him back." I hurriedly explained so he won't get the wrong idea.
Wait, I just made myself sound guilty.
"Really? Pay him back? Are you sure? All I hear from you is buying this and buying that." Uncle Sam commented hostilely.
I was shocked to hear him say that. What is he getting angry about? It's not like we ask grandfather to buy us things and not pay him back. Why do I even need to defend myself to him? This is a family matter and I don't think he has the right to scold me. This is crossing the concerned citizen line.
"Your grandfather already bought you two shops, a truck, sent your children to school, and even gives you money allowances. Is that still not enough for you? You still want to ask him to buy you another shop on top of asking him to buy you a house?" Uncle Sam criticized some more.
"Uncle Sam, I don't think you have any right to question me regarding how our family spends our money especially if you don't know the whole story." I replied angrily.
Uncle Sam was really going over top with his rant regarding me borrowing money from grandfather and what does he mean he bought us the shops? Is Uncle Sam checking grandfather's finances? Is he interested in grandfather's money? Is that it? Is that his motive?
I looked at Uncle Sam who was looking at me like I'm a stain in his white shirt.
"You should learn how to stand up on your own rather than keep on asking money from your grandfather. You're not a child anymore." Uncle Sam said before he left angrily.
I looked at his back that was leaving and can't believe that I got scolded for things I didn't do. Sure, I borrowed money for the truck and I'm sure we are paying back grandfather with not one owo missing.
I stood there in shock for a long while. It wasn't until Athena came back with the dirty dishes that I got my senses back.
"What happened?" She asked curiously.
"I think I've found a motive." I replied, still stunned with the possibility that Uncle Sam would hurt grandfather for money.
Grandfather would have given him some if he asked him too. Why would he need some?
"Motive? In grandfather's case?" Athena asked me, surprised.
"Yes but I'm not sure. It doesn't make sense." I replied as I shook my head pacing back and forth.
"Why do you think Secretary Choi would do it?" She asked curiously as she grabbed both my shoulders so I could look at her.
I explained to her the conversation I had with Uncle Sam.
"Money?" Athena also commented unsurely.
She looked at me suspiciously. Maybe she's wondering if I'm just making it up. Even I can't understand why it would be for money but it really sounds like it's for money or maybe I'm just really wrong about this and Uncle Sam has nothing to do with it.
"Do you think that's it?" I asked curiously.
Athena was deep in thought. Maybe she's trying to understand why Uncle Sam would want money.
"What would he do with the money?" Athena asked.
"That's the part I don't understand. If it's for money, Uncle Sam can surely ask for it from grandfather and he doesn't need to go through all this trouble just to rob him." I answered.
"Should we try to trap him? To make him confess?" Athena suggested reluctantly.
Should we? But it might become dangerous for my grandfather. We don't know what Uncle Sam was capable of plus he has military training. I'm not sure I can win against him in a fight.
"Should we just tell it to Uncle Dang?" I suggested as I shrank back from her grip.
"Would he believe us?" Athena asked as she glared at me.
Uncle Dang might not believe us. What should we do? Should we try it? Or should we just leave it to the authorities to figure it out? But what if Uncle Sam tries again? Should we really transfer grandfather to another house?
Ah but we don't have another house. Grandfather doesn't like staying in the main house too. He doesn't like breathing the same air with my stepmother or should I send stepmother on a vacation? I don't have that much money and I don't think my stepmother would just agree to that.
"What do you think we should do?" I asked her.
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