“Yes, he did. Are you hurt, Imogen?” Shirley asked, concerned.


    “I’m fine. I broke my arm when I was escaping, but I got it fixed. Still have some bruises around, but


    they’re superficial wounds.” Imogen asked, “By the way, Shirley, any idea who those kidnappers were?


    Did they mention anything to you?


    Shirley recalled her unsettling spection earlier. Despite initially dismissing it, too many coincidences


    lined up, making it hard to ignore. She thought to herself, Why did she choose that specific coffee shop


    on the street? She needed to confirm, not because she thought Imogen would harm her, but to be


    certain. “They did share something with me, and it’s perplexing. Still baffles me, to be honest,” she


    admitted.


    Imogen’s expression turned horrified, and her pupils contracted. Unable to contain herself, she


    inquired, “What did they say?”


    Shirley frowned, sensing a hint of panic from Imogen.


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    Imogen quickly realized she rushed the question and offered a reassuring smile. “Sorry, Shirley. Don’t


    take it the wrong way. I’m assisting Roy with the investigation, and I need more details from you.”


    Shirley smiled and said, “No worries. I know you’re concerned for me.”


    “Can you share what the kidnappers told you? Any mention of a possible aplice?” Imogen asked,


    this time in a softer tone.


    Shirley went with that line of questioning and said, “I think they did, but I bumped my head. I still feel


    dizzy now, so I forgot what they told me. Maybe I’ll remember it when I wake up tomorrow.”


    “You bumped your head? Is it bad?” Imogen asked.


    “I’m alright. Just have to get some rest,” Shirley said.


    “Get some rest, then. Tell me right away if you remember what the kidnappers told you, alright,” Imogen


    said. Shirley said, “Sure thing.”


    “And we’re friends, Shirley. I want to contribute something, so if you remember anything, tell me right


    away,” Imogen requested, a little unabashed.


    Shirley agreed right away, “Of course. I’ll tell you right away if I remember anything.”


    “Thank you, Shirley. You’re my best friend. When you were back there kidnapped, I wished I could take


    your ce. I wished you were the one to escape.”


    “Hey Imogen, mind if I ask you something? When they knocked you out, did they handcuff you and put


    something over your head?” Shirley inquired.


    Imogen’s eyes sparkled with cunning as she replied casually, “Guess they didn’t expect me to wake up


    so soon after the knockout, so they didn’t get a chance to cuff me in time. Lucky for me, their oversight


    allowed me to slip away. You’re not thinking I’m in cahoots with the kidnappers, are you, Shirley?”


    Shirley quickly dismissed the idea, saying, “No way, Imogen. I know you like the back of my hand.”


    Imogen breathed a sigh of relief. Despiteing from a privileged background, she realized Shirley


    was somewhat sheltered and naive, making her unlikely to suspect anything. “Thanks for trusting me.


    This whole kidnapping fiasco is entirely my fault. I shouldn’t have gone for that extra coffee or taken


    you into that coffee shop,” she admitted, berating herself.


    Shirley reassured her, “It’s not your fault. If they wanted to take me, they could have done it anywhere


    else.”


    “I’m sorry, Shirley. This is all because of me. I caused the vice president to worry about you,” Imogen


    lamented.


    “Don’t beat yourself up. Let bygones be bygones. I’ll just be more cautious from now on,” Shirley


    consoled Imogen.