Chapter 4 

   The next day. 

Around seven am in the morning, the birds are chirping, the warm aroma of creamy pasta filled with shrimps filled the house, Belle the chef made sure it would make everyone wake up, but then this is Layla's favorite food. Douglas didn't sleep a wink at all, the thought of his daughter couldn't let him.  Boxing Day is quite out of the ordinary for the Randolph’s; multiple gift boxes resting on the beautifully decorated Christmas tree standing right beside the massive television set in the large living room.  The whole family is sitted in a half circle towards the TV. As if they were all waiting for some good news, they are awaiting Douglas’ presence since he is the most affected by Layla’s death, even though Lisa is also there she knew Layla had always been her father’s little jewel, the apple of his eyes! 

Footsteps were heard descending the grand staircase, Lisa is the first to look hoping it would be Douglas, the rest of the family quickly looks in the direction of the stairs, “it’s just Belle” Henry Randolph says although he is the youngest child of Santos Randolph he sure looks quite old, he is short and he has a  large protruding pot belly that can’t be missed, you would see his round belly from a mile away. Commonly called the devil Randolph he was a dangerous business tycoon and he mostly handles  the dirty businesses of the Randolph organizations, allegedly arrested for once raping a minor but the case was closed midway. He is promiscuous hence, all his children do not have the same mother. They all relaxed themselves and all that could be heard at this point was their heavy breathing and the sound of the clock, the sound of the second hand.

     Knock knock 

The large main entrance door was knocked, everyone's direction changed to the door with a hint of fear in their heart. “Who could it be and why isn’t the person using the doorbell?” Lisa asks with a bit of rage in her voice. It is quite early. 

“I’ll check it out ma’am” one of the maids answers and quickly opens the door slightly to know who it is. With a bright smile he introduces himself to her “Hello fella, I work for the police, I heard of the situation going on around here and decided to pay a visit, I  hope you don’t mind." He has a mild grin that creeps the maid out, she isn't sure whether to let him in or not, he finally brings out his badge and she doesn't want to have issues with law enforcement agents at least not now, no one would even consider her.  He casually strolls inside and examines the insides of the mansion, his eyes on the nooks and crooks of the mansion. He has a satisfactory smile on his face as he approaches the Randolph’s who have already been staring at him ever since he stepped foot on the insides of the mansion.

“Excuse me, who are you and what do you want in our house?” Eve is first to speak, she rises to her feet and folds her arms together. she gives him a cold stare hoping to terrify this strange looking man.  “Didn’t mean to be rude” he says as he raises his hat slightly and bows as a sign of respect, he turns around and nodded with amazement “It is a wonderful house you got here, I hope I’m not bothering you”  He say as he puts his hands on his chest and makes hand gestures as he speaks “well I happened to have heard news that one of y’all’s folks is dead, let’s say a young lady of about 26 years to be precise, you wouldn’t happen to know why she was poisoned would ya?” His smile broadened as those words came out of his mouth, they all have their mouths wide open and stares at him with disbelief. “Yes, a member of this family recently died and she’s my sister. Who are you and why do you think she was poisoned? Who authorized you to barge in here and question us just like that?” Lisa challenges him and rises to her feet as she approaches the man before her. 

“Didn’t mean to startle you, sorry I’m yet to introduce myself.” He clears his throat and brings out a cigar and a lighter from his coat   “You all wouldn't mind if I smoke this would ya?” He asks rhetorically and no one replied, they all just stared at him with utter confusion. He lit his cigar and blows out a stream of smoke from his mouth. “Now where was I?” Making hand gestures and moving towards Lisa, “right ! I was about to introduce myself.  I am Detective Brown Bishop. You can call me Brown, but never call me  BB or Mr Bishop!! Okay” he instructed authoritatively leaving Randolph speechless. They all have a confused look on their faces. 

Lisa is quick to speak again,” Have you no manners at all? You do know who’s house you’re in right? What business do you have here?” 

“Oh well let’s get straight to the point, I’m here to investigate the sudden death of Layla Randolph and you my dear are my first suspect” Brown pointed right hand at Lisa and touches Lisa's nose while he takes another puff of the cigar with his left hand. Lisa trembled with fear and quickly lost her voice, Brown chuckles as he sees her reaction.  “There is nothing to be scared about little princess, as long as you didn’t do it you have nothing to fear just a few questions for you and that’s it” he says with another sheepish creepy smile. 

Douglas finally graces them with his presence and is surprised to see this man in his home, before he could speak Brown noticed him descending the stairs “so nice of you to join us, Mr. Douglas, I was just getting acquainted with the rest of the Randolphs, sadly I have to leave now,  a lot of pressing issues, murders, robberies. You know the drill” He says as he turns to around back to face jewel, Brown raises his hat a little and bows similarly to what he did when he first walked in and approached the door, the maid who is still standing by the door opens it and just before he steps out he stops and takes a lot at Lisa, clicks his tongue pointing at her and takes a puff of his cigar. He left and the door was shut behind him, Lisa breathes out heavily and her heavy chest seems to have been relieved seeing that man leave. "Okay, Dad, you need to tell us some things, first that man says Layla was poisoned, we all didn't know that and how dare he accuse me? And why is her death being investigated?" Lisa says as she faces Douglas, the rage she has is getting suspicious.

   "Lisa!" Jewel says as she interrupts her rude niece. Lisa fumes and sits down. Douglas just looks at her and sighs.  "Good morning everyone" He breaks the silence with with deep baritone voice, he sighs afterwards.  "Good morning" They all respond, the quiet gaze they all gave each other.  "I also wasn't aware that she was poisoned, I didn't know that. When I find out Who Killed my daughter and for any reason at all, I will ruin the person and if I need to torture and kill! I will!" Douglas says with rage and pain in his voice, everyone else is shocked to what he said and how he said it, they all gulped, Douglas has a scary past, he was a man with rage before he changed, unleashing that part of him again would mean terror.  "Now, I will call the doctor and the detective, the reason why she was poisoned, those who had reasons to kill her, the little details will be needed now I urge for everyone's cooperation!" Douglas says as he stands up and leaves, the room has a deafening silence as soon as he leaves, who could have done that. The thought that the killer could be amidst them made them question themselves and suspect themselves. 

Detective Brown Bishop, a brilliant and a rebellious police officer who often break the laws just to apprehend criminals, of course he’s always had his way around. His story goes far back to when he was a little boy, Brown was birth to the family of 7 in Texas, his father was a police officer who was got crucified unjustly, the rebellious little Brown ran from home and uncovered the mysteries of his father’s blackmailers, after making a name for himself at the age of 16 he was just 18 when he got recruited into the police force.  He was diligent and hard-working he never lets himself get distracted from his duties. Brown was a cowboy and was a great fan of poetry, folklores and ancient tales, his favourite folklore was about the story of the Gods of Olympus.   He was made the sheriff in his local community at the age of 30 after giving his entire life to his job, he got promoted to being chief of police in Texas. He didn’t feel accomplished or fulfilled, he drafted in for the army and started from being just a private at the age of 32 and promoted rapidly for his excellent combat skills and weapon handling, he became a captain. A major war broke out and the brigadier general in charge of his team was assassinated, making him assume the post. He’s had quite the journey already, he finally retired at the age of 43 to pursue a career in the police force of Houston, for his high merits in the army and police force he quickly attained the level of chief detective. Hence, he does not really stick to the rules. He has the support of the military and has high ranking officials in the goverment. After the confrontation of Brown in Randolph's house, Lisa decides to do a little background check on the detective who dared to come into their home and accuse her of her sister's death.

Lisa: hello Rad, I need your help. I want to dig up some information about a detective 

Rad: okay boss? Does he have a name or a picture. 

Lisa: he introduced himself as a- " She pauses " A detective Brown Bishop.

Rad: okay I’ll look him and see what I find on him.

She ends the call and examines the room, she breathes out and leaves for her room.  Henry Randolph is preparing to leave the premises the next day when Brown casually opens their door without knocking. “Good morning fella, howdy?” He asks with a smile as he scans Henry who has his bags packed up. “Seems like we’re leaving for somewhere? Anything going on” he asks as he figures out that he is about to leave. 

“First,  who the f**k let you in here and why are you questioning me, I ain’t your murder suspect or am I?” Henry picks up his bag and car keys and walks out on Brown but before he could open the door Brown stops him. “Hey I was thinking the entire family will be here together to mourn the death of the late girl"  He raises his brows and leans in closer to Henry. Henry forces the door open, heads out and slams it, shock is written all over his face as he sees multiple guards scattered all around the compound wriggling in pain and some even unconscious. He moves hastily to his car lot, and rushes out. 

Few minutes ago, Brown arrived at the mansion’s gate and requested to enter but the guards refused him, he forcefully made his way through and the guard was just about to let him leave, Abraham the chief guard arrived and asked what all the ruckus was about. “Sorry chief, this man says he wants to get into the compound.” The able bodied man at the gate quickly responds to his superior. “Isn’t this the man who we were ordered to not allow into the premises?” Another guard asks. “Indeed it is him, throw him out” Abraham orders and turns to leave. “Ha ha ha, who gave you such ridiculous orders please stop being ridiculous and let me walk in easily while you can all keep your limbs, win win” he smiles and looks around him, he is currently in the middle of five men including Abraham, about seven other security personnels were scattered around the compound. 

**********

After Henry’s departure Brown decides to announce his arrival “Hello, anyone home?” A maid comes out of the kitchen with her hands behind her back, she is putting on a short black gown with white outlines all around it . “Good morning gentleman, what can I do for you?” Theresa asks. “Ain’t you too good looking for that dress you’re putting on?” He creases his brows and removed his thick coat hanging it on the half circle sofa.  “Alert the Randolphs for me real quick, tell everyone it’s detective Brown” He added, Theresa bows and turns to take her leave. “Wait please, can you also gather up all the maids” she nodded with a confused look and walks hastily through the large stairs looking back and turning back simultaneously.

Without wasting much time the family was already present, most of the family are home except Douglas who is still sober over the whole situation, and he waits for all the maids to gather around before he commenced. “All right, thank you all for gathering, I promise not to take too much time” he says as he rises and stands in the middle of the large living room. “Precisely two days ago, during Christmas dinner a fine member of this lovely home was murdered, poisoned to be precise” He says as he reaches for his pocket and brings out a picture of the dead Layla’s body. The entire family looked in disgust and this picture made Douglas more emotional he tears up and Eve consoles him.“Well let’s not be sentimental let’s keep this straight, is there anyone that might be a suspect or have a hand in this issue? I mean, was there anyone who had a confrontation with the deceased?” His question remained unanswered. The room is filled but no one made any sound or reactions. The only sound heard is Brown tapping the tiled floor with the sole of his boots.

“Okay let’s try this again, starting with the person in charge of the kitchen in this house” He asks and the entire room turned back at Belle who is on a dining chair, it was obviously the answer to his question, he walks towards her and had a slight grin “Well hello, I suppose you’re the one I’m asking after” His voice is getting deeper and threatening, she quickly nods out of fear and his face eased up a little. “Well that wasn’t so hard, did you do it? I mean you would obviously have nothing to gain by killing her right?” He turns his back on her as he asks walking back towards the center.  Whimpering and shivering, Belle is overwhelmed with fear and definitely did not want to get on the wrong side of this man “n- no- I did not- me? never. She had a confrontation recently” He quickly butted in and asked who it was, with shaky hands Belle pointed at Lisa. Lisa gives Belle a threatening stare but quickly eased up her face when she noticed Brown’s attention was now on her.  “Well hello there missy '' He says as he slowly walks towards Lisa and her heart pounds heavily with every step that he takes towards her.

"I think we have better things to worry about, a mail just got in, Layla sent a Mail!" Theresa says with her shaking hands.