Chapter 8 and 10

Here is Clara’s side of the story.

It is hard to believe it was just 3 weeks ago.

Thanksgiving, to be exact.

My father had been away for quite some time, Always traveling for business.I was so busy with my first semester teaching that it even took me a while to realize what was really going on.

Anyway, it was Thanksgiving and my family had spent almost every major holiday together for as long as I can remember.

 Mother had gone through the trouble of making a real event of it. She cooked a traditional Italian thanksgiving feast and personally decorated the affair. She even installed a semi-formal dress code, even though it was just  the family.

An Italian thanksgiving feast in my small Irish mind is lost of pasta.

Dinner was to start promptly at 5 pm before the game came on. We were all there on time except Father.

Father came in late but when he finally arrived it was like a king entering the castle. 

He looked haggard but smiled.  Mother took his coat and doted on him more than usual but he didn’t pay it any attention. Before he even looked my mother in the eye the first person he looked at was me.

So, Martin is smiling because he thinks Fierro is conspiring to get his money. So Martin has kidnapped Rose and is going to change his will so if Mr. F does try to kill him Rose won’t get the money.

It was his usual stare of disappointment but there was something more behind it that night.

He flashed his smile for the grandkids secretly handing them money and joking with my brother-in-laws.

I stayed quiet answering questions about school and classes, trying to keep the attention off of myself. For the past few years we had these types of family events outside the house as an excuse to keep Rosalie home.

AWWW ) :

Derek, Claudia’s husband, spoke up right in the middle of dinner. Sending that evening into a downward spiral

“Martin, are we still on for later.”, Derek asked

“Of course, son”, Martin said to Derek

“On for what ?”, mother asked looking concerned her hand clutching her pearls.

She thinks he is talking about Divorce. In my head Derek works for his father’s law firm and Derek specializes in Divorce

Derek is one of those legal types who often forgets to be human. He considered us all more of a formality than a family. Derek’s family's practice had been with  my family for decades. He was career-oriented, smart and successful.

Why have I never written a male protagonist who is like this ? I mean Paris is pretty dedicated but he has a trade.

“The will, Ma’am”, he said looking over his cell phone

Gone was the holiday  spirit and everyone looked to my father for an answer. My father appeared smug as he poured himself another glass of wine. Everyone looked slightly uncomfortable and I had the sense to convince the children to go into the living room until desert.

 “Are you updating the will tonight, father ?”, Claudia asked. clearly her husband left her out of the loop

So. . . if Martin updates the will this means Clarice will get the money. And right now Claudia and Fierro have a deal to kill Martin then split the inheritance 50/50.

“We just want to make adjustments. . . for Audrey and the inheritance”, he said referring to Clarice’s daughter, my seven-year old niece.

Clarice looked to Colin and they held hands, as if they knew what was coming next.

“I’m sorry father,” Claudia started, “But, um I thought the oldest grandchild inherited the family money”

“True and Audrey has nearly three years on your Alma”

“Yes,”, Claudia said, “But Audrey’s not family . . . she’s adopted. . . from another country”, she whispered the last part.

Claudia is very blunt

“Claudia, have a heart”, I said seeing Clarice tear up from her seat in the corner. I knew what she went through to adopt Audrey from Korea a few years ago.

“Shut up Clara”, Claudia said, “All I’m saying is my Alma is the oldest blood granddaughter and she is more entitled.”

No she’s not. Rose is.

“It’s alright”, Clarice offered, “If Claudia wants her daughter to have the inheritance—“

See how nice Clarice is.

“Nonsense Clarice, don’t let your sister walk all over you.”, Father said.

“What about Clarence ?”, Mother asked with a smile, “He is your only son”

To many Cla names. I mean I did this on purpose but still . . .

“I don’t think that is best with the divorce and all”, Father answered simply

Mother chocked on her water but quickly recovered.

“Divorce ?”, Clarice and I said.

 I don’t know why we were all surprised. I suppose even at our age we wanted to believe that father “working in the city” was a temporary. That they would get past the uneasiness that had filled the house, that they could be in love again.

“I’m sorry girls but your mother and I are no longer together”,he said rather bluntly, "We are getting a divorce"

“After 30 years ?”, Clarice asked meekly.

"29", I corrected her. I just wanted to say something. Claudia glared at me.

Okay, so this is a throwback to Martin and Claire having a shotgun wedding. Which now that I think about probably explains some of the bitterness towards Rosalie. Clara’s parents got married to give their child a family and they feel Clara should do the same.

Wait. . . Martin was also born out of wedlock. Family dramz

Derek looked up from his phone, clearly aware of the divorce and counting the dollar signs when his firm would handle it.

“Why ?”, I asked.

Mother burst out in tears in a way I’d never seen her lose decorum.

“Tell them, Martin”, Mother said, “Tell them why you want a divorce."

He didn’t say anything.

“Girls”, Derek said gently touching his wife who retracted her hand, “Your father has simply found a younger woman to make him happy”

“Derek”, Father warned him.

Derek is an ass.

“It’s Ella isn’t it ?”, I said as Ella, my brother's former nanny, had been fired just  a few months ago,  “Are you living with her in the city ? How could you do this ? The nanny  ? Really Father does family mean nothing to you ?”

Father stood up, he practically towered over me.

“You, young lady are not to speak to me. Now, I’m sorry Claudia but Clarice's daughter is the oldest so the inheritance will go to her."

So this talk of inheritance is coming up because Martin saw Mr. F and Rose that morning.

"I'll take that as a yes", I said.

He looked directly at me.

“I don’t want your money anyway”, I continued,  “You just love the power you get pulling our strings. I can’t wait till someone cuts yours.”

Oh, good one Clara. Although that sounds like you threatened to kill him.

My father's hands tensed on the table, and I thought him a better man in that moment. I knew he had wanted to hit me.

. . . Martin is abusive.

 “We are leaving”, Claudia said mostly to my father

“I have to help Martin with the will and the divorce”, Derek insisted, “You know I charge by the hour”

“It’s a holiday", Claudia barked at him, "Derek. I can’t believe you are trying to take money away from your own daughter. I’m the oldest in the family I’ve taken care of all my sisters . . . kept all their secrets and once again I get nothing. We are leaving Derek.”

“Fine”, he grumbled, “Martin I’ll meet you at your office tomorrow morning”

“I’d really like to get this done tonight”, Father said making that the final word.

"Fine, tonight", Derek whispered tyring to escape Claudia's grip

Claudia glared at Derek the entire time he began making plans with my father to met in the city later on. They were going to make a weekend out of it.

I love Claudia and Derek.

 But by the end of the night my father would be dead..

 I waited around for Clarice and Colin to drive me home but I imaged they would stay for hours. It was getting late and I called a cab.

While I waited I tucked my little brother in. It was always strange having a brother  young enough to be my son. I think all of us sisters didn't want to be the distant type of siblings but it had been difficult for us all to be together. I used to resent Clarence because of the way father treated  him better than Rosalie.

So, yes I know that this whole story could be resolvd if Martin just gave all the money to his son and I guess I could have retconned Clarence out, but I didn’t.

I decided to wait outside for the cab and Father followed me

"Listen to me Clara", He said, “You will learn not to talk out of turn about your father, understand.”

"No, I'm afraid I don't", I sad passively

Clara is fed up with her Dad.

He grabbed my arm and turned me towards him, his grasp getting a litle to tight. His eyes were glassy and he pushed me to the side then forced me off the step. I landed hard in the snow and turned over to face him

"Do. You. Understand", he asked again.

"Yes, Father. I do", I humored him. 

Those were also my last words to him

For the first time I saw a  bit of my father’s childhood reflected back at him. Grandpa was lovely, but a bit of an angry drunk/ That anger was now apart of Father. He was raised with so many repressed feelings. I suppose it was because Lucie and Grandpa spent so many years pretending to be in love trying to make their marriage work before they separated in a very messy divorce.

Okay, so I like this backstory into Martin’s childhood. Clara’s parents and grandparents didn’t marry for love they did it for obligation. Clara has done (or think she has) done the same thing.

Killing Fierro really put a strain on Lucie and . . . oh, wow I just forgot Claras’ grandfather’s name.  Oh, It’s Roger (That’s real French)

So because Roger was a drunk and mean and Lucie was bitter, Martin later became abusive too. Wow.

I stood outside waiting so long for that cab that Father actually left before me.

 I watched through  the window as mother helped him into his coat, they were both quiet. I suppose he wanted to get back to Ella and his New York City penthouse as soon  he could. He didn't even look at me as he left.

My cab came a little while later, I felt guilty for leaving my mother alone in that big house but I needed some space. When I reached Clarice's house I couldn't make myself go inside so I got in my car and droe to a bar of all places.

"Suddenly my phone rings and. . .

 

Okay, that’s right. I don’t have the entirety of what happened in chapter 8 because it would spoil the whodunit.

This is why chapter 9 is first. Now that I look at it this chapter is pretty pointless. I mean really pointless. Actually so was chapter 8. I mean there was no way anyone could put the pieces together. I can barley do it.

 

Chapter 10

 

I could hear my heart pounding a few drops of moisture  dripped down my neck. Even my breathing was beginning to get shallow, shorter, panting almost. I just needed to clear my mind. I couldn't stop now.

Muse : Aww, yeah

LiLe : Not what you think. Or what you were supposed to think

One more step and everything collapsed around me. The only thing I could hear was my breathing against the cold dirt. I stood up and brushed of my thermal top and ran the rest of the path finally coming back to the house just as the sun had finished rising.

I kicked off my sneakers and walked into the house.

Again with the no shoes.

Claudia and Mr. Fierro, Rose, Father, poison, 35.1 million dollars, murder, the scotch, the will

The minute I stopped running  it all came back to me. Slowly, I climbed the front steps and pushed the front door open

Clara : Hey since when do I run ?

LiLe : It makes you look like you are getting perspective. Also you are out running in one of the short stories in August.

As I made my way upstairs I  caught my reflection in the hall mirror and couldn't look away.

The dark circles were still under my eyes, the missing kiss of color on my skin only made my scars more prominent. Usually I could bear them but today I hated them. They were so ugly,deep and permanent. I reached up and gently removed the hall mirror and set it behind another pieces of furniture

You know I’m sure I could come up with some greater meaning for all the mirrors in this series. Also the scars. . . why did I give Paris a scar ! I just needed him to have a unique look so Isobel would recognize him as the man who saved her fathers life in Vietnam.  I forgot about Clara’s face scar. I guess I could have stolen the port wine stain from SV.

“Get it together, Clara”, I coached myself as I jogged upstairs to get ready for work. 

It was the last day of classes and I had to at least appear sane. Out of habit I found myself wearing all black again, this time in the form of a tailored black suit, that felt more constricting than usual.

I ran a bit of bright lipstick on my finger and smeared it on my lips. I didn't bother using a mirror because I just couldn't take my reflection right now.

The poison Claudia stole from Mr. F  is hidden in the lipstick. What we don’t know is that Clara and Claudia talked during the night of Martin’s death

Downstairs,I ran my hand along the piano in the hallway and played a scale with one finger.

“Good morning, Ms. DeLune”

I jumped. Dropping my school work all over the floor. I hadn’t even noticed him in the hallway watching me.

I turned to face him with a blank expression and started putting my hair up.

“Still not speaking to me ?”, he inquired 

I considered answering but didn't and made a beeline for the door.

I grabbed the only set of keys off the table not giving him another glance. I knew I was being childish but not saying anything felt like the only control I had.

I kept the keys clutched in my hands as I slipped on my winter coat and approached the sleek silver Vanquish. My car was still at Clarice's house and I was running late for work.

Mr. F: Did she just steal my car ?

Clara : It’s 50/50 now

LiLe : Actually, you aren’t really married

Clara : Fine. I stole it.

I slipped into the front seat and adjusted the mirrors. As I started the engine I couldn't help but to enjoy the quiet rumble of the engine and the smooth speed.

Once on the road I turned on my cell phone and was runover with 45 missed calls from friends and family and even more text messages.I answered as many as I could being a vague as possible.

"I was fine", I said

"I was tired"

"I was sick"

"It was nothing"

"I'm fine"

I'm lying.

I hurried into the faculty parking lot,  but I couldn't bring myself to get out of the car. I practiced looking calm, trying to wipe the sheen from my eyes. One glance at the clock confirmed I was still running late.

 I forced myself out of the car, trying to balance all my paperwork and not fall in my stilettos  I locked the door and noticed a group of students were gaping and pointing at the pasenger side door.

Stilettos and a fitted black suit ? I’m a little in love with Clara now.

“Can I help you ?”, I said

They quickly scattered and I stood back and looked over the car. I dropped my papers all over again cursing my reckless driving.

There was a dent on the passenger side door.

Okay this is odd. Hmmm. Okay so  Claudia and Derke  steal Mr. F’s car and hit Rainer with it (remember when she got hit by the car after the wedding)

 

+2+

 

I cancelled my afternoon class and drove  back to Monroe County. I just wanted to crawl into bed with a Merlot.

So Clara is like always hungover.

I was a little shocked to find the house empty .It was strange being alone here. When I thought about it I couldn't remember the last time I had been alone.

It didn't sit well with me.

I gathered Mr. Fierro had gone to pick up Rose and Joy from the train station.

I wondered into the kitchen realizing how long it had been since I last eaten. A pie I had baked last night, when I needed a distraction, was the only edible thing in the kitchen. I set it on the table and picked up a large knife from the counter.

For some reason I hesitated before cutting it.

I thought I heard something.

I thought I heard. . .a pulse. 

A low thrumming somewhere in the room

No I was hearing things. 

Tell-Tale Heart

With shaky hands I picked up a large knife and ran it  through a kitchen towel. I touched the sharp tip into the top

I watched as a bit of bright red picked through the tiny fissure in the golden crust, I put the tip in deeper and a steady stream of dark thick red liquid spilled over the edge and onto the table.

It was strange. Such a dark and brilliant color.

Furthermore cherries weren't in season.

The thick sweet smelling liquid continued to run out the side of the the crust almost as if it had a life of its own. 

The stream Pulsed and throbbed outside of the pie pan like a beating heart. I thought about what a blur the weekend had been, what a blur my life had become.

I hadn't meant to fall in love with him

and since then I couldn't recognize my own life anymore. He couldn't recognize his life anymore.

I like this above line.

What the hell did I do ? What the hell was I doing ?

Had I imagined his voice this morning.

Had I done something terrible ?

Clara thinks she chopped up and baked Mr. F into a pie. Since he can’t die his heart is still beating beneath the crust. So . . . yeah. Creepy but this scene is mostly filler to show Clara’s distress.

The red liquid now covered half of the pie, my grip on the knife was tightening. I tore apart the crust revealing more red gelatinous pieces,  splattering onto the white table cloth.

I took the knife out and bought it between my lips

It was tart

And sweet.

Cherry and Cranberry

This was one of the first scenes I wrote. Clara is losing her mind at this point

I calmed myself down as I licked the  filling off the tip of the knife

There was a low rumble from the front yard I jumped and scraped my tongue. My mouth filled with a little bit of blood.

Ouch

I peeked out the kitchen curtain. Outside sat a night blue Jaguar parked square in the front yard, with two front wheels in the flower bed.

I dropped the knife and shuffled though my purse and fished out an airplane bottle of vodka, spitting out the blood  and vodka into the sink. Inwardly I screamed, my mouth was on fire.

Tomas  : Oh, using Vodka as disinfectant. That’s original

LiLe : I thought we were over this

The back door of the Jaguar opened followed by two long lean legs, propped up on 6 inch heels. I watched as the rest of my  eldest sister slid out the car. A thick pair of shades perched on her nose. Despite it being 30 degrees outside.

So,  I think Claudia may have been my catalyst for Bellum!Seraphina

Claudia made her way to the front door, sneering at the dirt that was getting on her shoes.

“Sister !”, she called rapping on the front door.

Reluctantly I opened the door.

“Sister, dear”, she greeted me. A false sweetness to her voice.

“I can’t believe you Claudia”, I greeted her sternly

“I know these are summer shoes but it’s summer somewhere.”

I love you Claudia

I folded my arms and she realized I wasn't in the mood to be nice to her

“Oh, that. . .  I guess he told you ?”, she sighed, “I figured. . .Let’s talk shall we ?”

Instead of coming inside the house she walked back to her car beckoning me to follow her. She opened the back door of the Jaguar and slide in very close to me.

Derek was sitting in the front seat and started the car. His black hair slicked back, gently thrumming his hand against the steering wheel.

"Well, Clara I don't know what to say. I suppose things got of hand"

You know I went to your baby-daddy and talked him into killing our dad so I could get the inheritance. . . I just had no control over it.

"Why didn't you tell me ?"

“It's the past”, Claudia said, "You know what we have to do now"

My eyes went to Derek, He seemed to be listening and nodding along. I looked back at Claudia concerned.

“Please, I tell Derek everything after all he is my lawyer.”, Claudia and Derek exchanged a smile through the review mirror. Did he even know she planned to divorce him as soon as she could.

“Mr. Fierro is blackmailing me Claudia. I don’t know what he has. But I’m seriously starting to lose it.”

She reached and took my my hand

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. We just have to make him a little more viable as a suspect."

“How ?”, I asked

“The vial", she said, " The one the poison was in. The one I took from him. You still have it right ?”

Claudia took of her shades, waiting for an answer.

“Yes” I said nervously, "I hid it, but I yes."

What ? How did Clara get the vial of poison. Is what you were supposed to think. This has way to many moving pieces.

“Wonderful”

“Claudia why did you even  take it ?What were you planning on doing with it”

"What do you think ?"

"You were going to kill him ?"

Cause he kinda can’t die

"No", she laughed, "I just wanted to have the option."

"Even knowing about our relationship ?", I looked out the window at the scenery rolling by

“Oh, please Clara. You have to be the most miserable bride I’ve ever seen. I didn't really think you would care”

“I’m not miserable”

“Listen Clara. After this you’ll be a rich woman. You can get married ten more times for all anyone cares. But you can’t buy another sister. You can't buy back the time you'll get if you go to jail. . .or prison.”

“Detective Rainer saw those letters. She knows Cal is you. She knows you two were planning something”

“Oh”, she looked at Derek in the rear view mirror again, ”We took care of her”

As if on cue Derek tossed me an exact copy of the keys to the Vanquish.

Okay so  Derek stole the keys so they could frame Mr. F. Okay, I forgot this was in here. So many moving parts.

Mr. F : It’s nice to know everyone can steal my fancy car

Edward Cullen : I had it first

LiLe: Oh, that’s right

“Claudia”, I was on edge, "what did you do ?"

“Clara”, she turned to me a hint of fear and sincerity in her voice, “Admittedly I got myself in too deep we all did, but it’s not too late to fix it.”

I was silent

“Place the vial somewhere that will be easy for the police to find”, Claudia instructed “  I’ll make an anonymous call to the police telling them I know the plate for the car that was involved in Rainer’s accident. They'll want to look around  and when they do you just be sure to be extra helpful and make sure they find the poison”

“I just want this to be over, the guilt is getting to me.”, I looked at my red stained fingers

I looked out the window to see we had just circled the block and Derek was pulling back into the driveway and the flowerbed

“Don’t worry Clara", Claudia offered, " I’ll protect you. After all we are family"

So Claudia and Clara are going to frame Mr. F for murder.

 

+3+

I peered throughthe stained glass windows from the upstairs study as Claudia’s car drove away. Our conversation and her instructions still in my head

I had made myself comfortable in the chair by the window and  let my eyes linger over the silver “A” hanging on the door opposite me.

I just wanted to get this over with.

For some reason I knocked as I approached his bedroom door. I turned the handle and was greeted with a click and the door swung open.

"Yes", I said quietly 

 I  hurried back into my room tripping over the door decoration I had pulled off. I recovered the lipstick I had put on this morning sitting on my bed

I took a moment and slipped on one of my leather gloves and opened the tube removing bright pink lipstick and carefully shook the vial  out  of the bottom of the lipstick barrel and into the palm of my hands.

Holding it up to eye level it was obvious the vial was empty. That sweet smell, which I knew now was oleander was still there. 

Dun Dun Dun . . . it’s empty. Why ? Well it’s empty because Clara’s mom shoved the content of the  vial down Martin’s throat. Then Clara took it and hid it to keep her mom safe.

. 

I turned to the bedside table taken a back by the photograph of me. Scars and all. It was probably taken at Emile's old apartment, not a year after I'd had my bandages removed. If you didn't know any better you couldn't tell I was four months pregnant when it was taken.

No more pictures of Lucie so. . .win ?

I wanted this photo to show up in DSI so Mr. F would have a photo of Clara and not realize she was pregnant in it (meaning he would kind of have a photo with Rose and not realize it) . . . but I wrote it out.

I layed down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, a small skylight displaying the overcast sky.

I yawned taking in the fresh linen, soap and flowery scent. I turned to stare at the vial in my gloved hand.

My eye lids began to drop and the more I tried to concentrate the less I could.

So Clara’s been drinking and not-sleeping so it finally gets to her and she goes to sleep.

+++

What felt like seconds later I heard the front door open and close. My eyes darted open.

“Shit”, I was wide awake. The vial had rolled away from me into the center of the bed.

I quickly grabbed the vial and slipped my other glove on followed by my coat. I could hear murmuring in the kitchen and I went quietly down the back staircase and out the back door.

Using the spare key Derek had made I opened the car door and placed the vial in the passenger side door. Suddenly thankful I had driven that morning with my gloves on.

Wow, they have driving gloves. Also no Fingerprints

I ran back around to the back door, slowed my breath and stood in the kitchen door way slipping off my gloves

Rose and Joy's suitcase were in the hall and they were both in the kitchen, Joy was pressing coffee.

I kneeled down as Rosalie put her arms around me,  Once she let go of me she ran her hands over the large diamond on my finger. I'd never worn it until Friday and I forgotten to take it off.

Clara :Wait I was wearing it in chapter  6

LiLe : Uhhh, hmmmm. . . that’s only so Emile can see it.

“It’s pretty”, she said her voice sounded distant. I shuddered thinking of the times Rosalie had taken and hidden my jewelry, clothes and keys never to be seen again.

I jumped as my phone buzzed. Claudia had texted me a question mark. I stood up leaning against the door frame.

“Mr. Fierro, may I speak to you ?”, I said

“Certainly”, he made no mention of  me breaking my silent treatment.

He followed me to the living room where I picked up the music box.

“Okay”, I said, “Last chance. Please tell me what’s in the box.”

He wrapped his finger around a thin gold chain around his neck that I realized held the key

“I don’t think so, Ms. DeLune, though it is lovely to hear your voice again.”

Muse : You know when you aren’t screaming my name

LiLe :NO that didn’t happen

Muse : Uh, so what they spent the WHOLE weekend avoiding each other. I mean it’s like the only time Rosalie isn’t there.

LiLe : Yes, I mean there is a lot of deceit and betrayal going on here.

“This isn’t a game to me anymore. I’ve told you everything”

“No, you have not”

"How do you want this to end ?"

"I think you know"

I sighed and brushed past him and called to Joy

“Joy, can you take Rosalie upstairs”, I stopped her at the doorway and whispered “Don’t let her downstairs no matter what happens.”

Sh*ts about to get real.

She looked concerned but nodded.

 

 

+4+

From the corner of my eyes I saw the blue and red lights flickering as a set of police cars came down the driveway. I put down the paper I was grading and watched from my seat in the parlor  as three officers walked over to the passenger side of the Vanquish. They looked at the plate and  took notice of the dent.

So, the police come out because of what happened to Rainer. Then they find the poision which gets Mr. F arrested.

Mr. Fierro’s back was to the window, he was facing me but his eyes were on a book.

I bit my lip when there was a harsh knock on the door. I moved to get to the door before Mr. Fierro could register what was happening. When I opened the door I expected to see Detective Rainer. Instead I saw two strong armed officers.

“Where is Detective Rainer”, I asked.

“She’s still in the hospital”

“Still?”, I was shocked I didn’t think Claudia and Derek had hurt her that badly.

“We’re looking for the owner of the car outside.”, the officer said

“What is happening ?”, Mr. Fierro moved me out the way 

“Sir, you’re under arrest for the assault of a police officer. . . and the murder of Martin DeLune.”

His eyes found the police officer handling the empty vial. Then his eyes met mine with a familiar coldness and anger.

I looked  as the officer reached for his handcuffs. He didn't resist but my God. If looks could kill.

"Wait”, I said, “. . .It’s cold, please let me get him a coat.”

She does this so she can slip the key from around his neck. I only did this because I needed to explain why Clara couldn’t open the box before.

The officers stood awkwardly as I retrieved  placed the coat over his shoulders, when I reached the buttons I let my hand trail on the gold chain by his neck, pulling hard and fast as it snapped unnoticed by the officers into my hand.

I couldn't wait. I just couldn't.  I walked over to the music box my hands shook and I heard the officers cuffing him.

I slipped the key into its delicate lock and the box clicked open easily and  I lifted the lid. A rush of adrenaline hit me.

It was empty.

It was just a hollow box covered in blue velvet. I ripped up the velvet lining and still nothing.

He’d lied. . . to me.

A last minute lie

Yeah, last minute plot device.

To keep me here.

exaclty

Everything seemed to happen at once. Mr. Fierro’s gaze went from me to the stairs and then to me. The darkest ill-intentioned gaze I’d ever seen, as the officers lead him out the door.

 “What are you doing”, Rosalie’s soft voice went unnoticed by the officers. She was standing on the stairs with her elephant in hand, looking so innocent, “What did you do, Mommy ?”

“Go upstairs”, I said tossing the music box into the trash

She ran for the front door but I grabbed her, I put my hand over her mouth before she could bite me.

"No", she screamed her voice muffled, "What did you do"

“Stop it Rosalie", I said, "This is not about you. Go upstairs or you and I are going on a little swim”, I regretted the words before I said them.

So Clara knows Rose is afraid of water and just threaten her with it. So much for not turning into Martin.

I did it.

I had done what he knew I was going to do.

I framed a man for murder.

+++

“When ? When did this happen ?” What do you mean she is in the hospital ?" 

Juliet looked expectantly at the officer in blue, the one who just moments ago was joking about Rainer’s hit and run accident

Because it’s a boy’s club

Juliet had stopped by the station Monday after school. She had been preoocupied with side projects  and school all week. 

“Saturday. Rainer was in an accident on Saturday”, the officer answered, “I’m suprised you didn’t see it coming.”

“It doesn't work that way”, she said tired of having to defend herself gifts, “Where is she ?.”

"They got her over at County."

"Please, can you take me to see her", Juliet felt handicapped not being able to drive, but the thought of having an episode while behind the wheel kept her in the passenger seat.

The officer, Officer Marks, was reluctant but the girl seemed genuinely concerned for Rainer's well being. Which was saying a lot.

County hospital saw a lot of cops coming and going. Hopefully more through the front door than the back. It wasn't hard to find Rainer's room. Cops had been coming and going all weekend out of respect but none of them stayed long.

Cause she’s a woman

Tucked away in the hospital bed Olive Rainer's firey red hair had been pulled back, her hard features were covered in a oxygen mask. Her right eye was a little  swollen the side of her face had two small bandages, she had a broken leg and fractured rib but Rainer had been through worse overseas.

She was a solider ? RESPECT

"Can you wake her up ?", Juliet looked to the nurse who was tending to the other patient in the room.

"For a bit, she's in a lot of pain though", the nurse offered sweetly. Probably thinking Juliet was her daughter.

“Which is kind of a shame considering the new arrest in the DeLune murder”, said Officer Marks.

"Arrest ? Who ? When ?", Juliet questioned as the nurse began to work around the machines Rainier was hooked up to.

“I don’t know they got a good tip about the guy's who car did  . . .", he pointed his chin towards Rainer, "They even  found the poison that killed Martin DeLune in his car. Been in custody for a few hours.They say he hasn't said a word so far."

“I want to speak to him. I want to solve  this for Detective Rainer. . . though my method might be unconventional.”

“I don’t think so kid. Besides Rainer isn't in a position to vouch for you”

“No, but my mother is”

“Your Mommy ?”, he joked

“Yes, Commissioner Wakefield”, Juliet answered

Officer Marks stood speechless. Now that he looked at the girl she could easily pass for a younger version of Commisoner Wakefield. It certainly explained why she was even allowed to consult in the first place.

See. I explained a plot hole. I was totally subtle . . . not.

"I'll see what I can do", Officer Marks said stepping out

Juliet leaned in close as Rainer's eyelids fluttered open. Rainer let out a small groan as her eyes explored her surroundings finally landing on Juliet.

"Detective ?"

Rainer rolled her eyes as if to say "I can't believe what this has come down to"

"We are so close to the end", Juliet said, "I promise I'l solve this for you. And when I do--we do I'll be sure you get to make the arrest."

Rainer moved to sit up but both the nurse and Juliet stopped her.

"You have to rest", Juliet said, "I have a way in. I can do this."

Rainer blinked slowly and kept her eyes on Juliet, a sign of gratitude a sign of determination.

If I could write me some cozy-mysteries with Rainer and Juliet I totally would. Clearly my Mystery writing skillz are a bit too dense

+++

 

For some reason Juliet felt anxious as she stepped into the interrogation room. This was and would be  a new opportunity. A chance for her to do what everyone wanted her to. 

He looked almost exactly the way he did in her sketch. Deep eyes, solid lines, tense expression.

“Mr.Fierro ?”, Juliet said

He seemed surprised that she knew his name, this seemed to interest him.

“Have we met ?”

“Not really. My name is Juliet Wakefield. I’m a Psychic. The psychic."

“Ah, you are the one”, He said. His voice was cold his tone a little amused “Are you going to tell my future ?”, he mocked her.

Juliet stood behind him. Her hands on the top of his chair.

“As a matter of fact, I am.”

"Is that so ?"

"Yes, and believe me you want to know it."

Why ? Why ? Not even LiLe knows what happens in the future that Mr. F is going to want to know about now. Like I have no idea. I gave it no thought.

Juliet walked  in front of him and looked around the empty room.

"I asked them to remove the cameras and microphones. I told them it would mess with my ability, but I want this conversation to be private."

"I have done nothing"

"I know", Juliet said, "But you're smart. I think you know what really happened."

He seemed to be considering her words, cautious as to answer or not.

"I do.", he said

"How did you find out ?"

"I know Ms. DeLune is guilty. Believe me, I know what a guilty woman looks like"

Cause his wife (Lucie) was guilty of murder

"Here's the thing" Juliet said, her back to a corner, "I've never been able to read anyone' s future. . . not untill I was around Clara or you. I never knew what a burden it was. Knowing things."

Pssst. Juliet can only talk to dead people so therefore she can see the future of dead people.

"Perhaps you should share the burden."

"I will, after you get her to confess."

"And if I don't want to know what lies ahead"

"Is that a risk you really want to take ? If you knew your current future you could change the outcome to a more favorable one. You could guarantee your own happiness for once in your life.."

So Mr. F’s been plagued for so long with thinking he knows how he is going to spend his life. Juliet is offering him a chance to know how the rest of his life is going to go. Now that I re-read this I realize she is also hinting that he can change the future, by making different choices.

"You will just let me walk out of here ? What if I were to leave the country ?"

"Let's just say I don't think that bodes well for your future."

"Why is that  ?"

"Because now that you finally have her, you can't stand to let her go. Get her to confess and I can guarantee your happily ever after"

Juliet watched him not moving, he seemed to be considering her words and the truth to them. 

"I'll do it", he said. his lips barley moving

Juliet smiled, "Great,you have 48 hours"

I like this exchange but it does need a few more he said she saids. Hmmm so Mr. F in the last chapter realizes he has screwed up and right now he will do anything for a happy ending.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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