Nicole captured the scene with her phoneâs camera and then resumed her surveillance from the front.
She had invested over ten thousand dollars in a nondescript, used car, perfect for blending in as she sat inside, positioned to monitor the restaurantâs front entrance, her dash cam set to record all activity.
True to her suspicions, around one in the morning, the female colleague from the testing facility stealthily slipped out of an alley next to the restaurant.
Her vehicle was parked nearby.
She walked to it and quickly drove away.
Roughly thirty minutes later, the man who had resigned appeared from behind the restaurant.
As he approached his car, about to enter, a sudden beam of light caught him.
Startled by the unexpected company, he quickly became agitated, raising his hands to shield his face.
âs BunnyBookery Nicole got out of her car and made her way to the man, calling out his name loudly, âDerek Ellsworth.
â
Derek was startled.
Since he had resigned already, he didnât know Nicole and was surprised she knew his name.
âWho are you?â
Nicole walked closer to Derek and said, âWho I am is irrelevant.
Iâm interested in knowing something that might be related to you.
Did you tamper with the blood samples at the agency on the thirteenth of this month?â
Derekâs face was a mask of shock.
His lips trembled as he retorted, âWhat nonsense are you speaking? Iâve already resigned.
How could I have the means to tamper with anything at the agency?â
Nicole had anticipated his denial, but his reaction told her that he was hiding something.
She coolly stated, âYou may have resigned, but isnât Leighton Sugden still working there?â
Derekâs face crumpled, but he quickly composed himself and snapped, âWhat are you blabbering about? How is Leighton connected to me?â
Derek was unaware that Nicole had been trailing him for a while and had discovered his unusual relationship with Leighton.
âWatch your words, and shut your mouth.
If you spew any more nonsense, Iâll tear it apart!â Derek threatened Nicole sinisterly.
It was late at night, and they were alone on the street.
Derek assumed Nicole would be terrified, so he tried to intimidate her.
However, Nicole remained unruffled.
If he dared to harm her, it would only be a reason to get him investigated.
âYou and Leighton left this restaurant one after the other just a few moments back.
This place offers those kinds of rooms, doesnât it? If I call the police now, do you think they will take you in for questioning?â
Derek panicked for a moment and stuttered, âYou⦠Youâve been following me?â
âOf course, if I didnât know about your activities, I wouldnât have come looking for you.
Oh, and by the way, Leighton is a married woman.
How do you think her husband would react if he found out about the two of you?â Nicole chose her words smartly, giving the impression that she knew a lot when in reality, she was only in possession of a little information.
ALL Nicole had were tidbits she had picked up from casual conversations with the cleaning lady at the agency.
She didnât even know what Leightonâs husband did or where he worked.
But she couldnât reveal her cards.
She had to pretend like she knew everything to unnerve Derek.
As expected, Derek was unable to withstand the pressure and asked in an agitated voice, âWhat do you want?â
âI want to know if you and Leighton conspired together on the thirteenth to switch the blood samples.
â Nicoleâs question was direct and to the point.
It wasnât difficult to reach this conclusion.
It was clear from Derekâs demeanor that he had a hand in the incident.
Since he had already resigned, he could only have utilized Leightonâs presence in the agency to accomplish it.
Jarrod didnât employ idiots.
It was easier to target Derek than to try to go through Leighton.
Nicole had learned from the cleaning lady at the agency that Leighton came from an affluent background and had two children, so Leighton was less likely to take a risk.
But it would be different if Derek asked her to do it.
Since Leightonâs mind was clouded with love, Derek could easily persuade her with his sweet words.