Her cries exhausted her body and slept in his arms. John laid her to bed and reflected on everything he heard.

He sat down and recalled what she said. So there's more behind the other Diane Castillon's death. But the pressing thing now was to keep Diane safe. He could not bear to see her suffer more. If he wished, he would tell her to dismiss the whole thing but it seemed useless to convince her.

An hour after Diane woke up. "I'm sorry, I slept."

"Just rest if you need more."

"I'm good now. Thank you for listening." She sat at the bedside.

He handed her a gla.s.s of water. She drank and asked for more like she was thirsty for days.

"I felt a big load was lifted off my shoulder," said Diane, her dimples showed up.

"I'm happy to hear that."

John saw her cheeks pinkish and her wet soft lips so inviting, so sweet. He held the side of her head and leaned down to kiss, but stopped short. He perceived he was only taking advantage of her emotional state. Thus, he ended kissing her forehead.

John let go of his hold. "Are you fine now?"

She nodded, somewhat frustrated and wondered why. It dawned on her, she actually thought he would kiss her on her lips. This troubled her.

However, John misunderstood her deflated expression. "I know you're tired now but can you answer some questions for me?"

Diane raised her eyebrows. "Go ahead."

"I'm wondering. Are you searching for this prost.i.tution den because you believed it has something to do with your father's death and the claimed insurance?"

She collected herself first and started talking.

"Yes. In fact, the editor traced a fake beneficiary and heard him talking over the phone to a person he believed is the proprietor of the prost.i.tution den, but lost track of him in the end. That's also the reason I started writing in Cebu News, so I can work with the editor, with the hope that we can find new leads, but for four years…," her shoulders drooped, "and no progress. Until yesterday when Anna gave me the tip and the key to the room."

"Is the editor still involve in this?"

"Nope, he even told me to stop." She pursed her lips, dejected.

"He is right. Everything is risky. I need all the information you got so I can hand them to my brother. He knows what to do. Just leave it to him." He held her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. "Promise me, you won't dare to step foot in that den," his voice pleadingly soft.

She only nodded to appease him but deep inside, she wanted to go. However, her mother's face surfaced in her mind and made her unsure of what to do anymore.

John sat beside her. "By the way, how did Anna become your informant?"

"I met her at the insurance company. She was there to claim the insurance of her late husband who newly died. Then she heard me arguing with the manager and asked me about the false claimants. After hearing what I said, she fought for me and, fortunately, found out that someone was also posing as her for the insurance benefits, but the fake claimant was not captured. She was sorry for me and my mother's loss and helped us in any way she could. And now she is using all of her connections to help me with my write-ups."

"It seemed these insurance claims are getting out of hand."

"Yeah, it was." She sighed.

"Was? So it was concluded but the impersonators are still at large."

Diane didn't say more.

"So what are your leads now?"

Diane opened her purse, picked a small notebook and opened it. "Base on what I gathered, my father was one of the insurance agents. Anna's husband was also one. There were also two false claims before me and they were also from agents. After Anna's case, the company paused all claims and asked for more identification papers before any beneficiaries could claim."

"That means, the scammers are targeting the agents."

"Kind of, but we couldn't find anything more, unfortunately."

John checked his watch, two hours more and he had to be in the hospital to start his rounds. "I'll send you home so you can rest more. I will also check your mother's health while I'm there."

Diane left the hotel in peace after years of bottling the painful secret of her father's death inside her.

As they arrived, Diane led John to her mother's room.

John glanced down at Daisy who was lying in bed. He was observing her skin, her eyes, and her breathing. She looked normal but her eyes squinted of oversleeping and her skin lackl.u.s.ter.

John and Diane stood beside Daisy's bed. Diane introduced him to Daisy.

After a few more questions, John talked with Diane outside the room. "I suggest you send her to the hospital for laboratory tests."

"For what?"

"I'm not sure yet. Don't worry. Just do the test first. I might be wrong."

John suspected a type 2 diabetes but kept it for now. He said goodbye to her mother and walked out.

Diane walked beside him. Unknown to Diane, his attention was on her, though he didn't look her way. He saw her opening her mouth and closing it back again. So, he shortened and slowed his steps, giving her the time.

Diane strongly wished to apologize for what she said last night but unsure how to start. When John was almost at the gate, she decided to throw away all inhibitions.

"John, about what I said last night."

John turned with a huge grin on his face, making Diane laugh instantly. She realized he expected this. Oh my, she got this warm and fuzzy feeling looking at him, all her tenseness was blown away.

She squared her shoulders and manned up. "I'm sorry for saying those awful words. I really don't mean it."

"So?" He waited, smiling still, his arms folded over his chest.

She smiled her brightest. "I think I'm ready for the second date," Diane said.

John could not hold back anymore and threw all inhibitions too. He pulled her to his embrace and kissed her.